EXCLUSIVE I dated the Aussie Army Major accused of his wife's 'kayak murder' - but there was a VERY big secret he kept from me
An army major accused of murdering his wife in a kayak drowning incident after 26 years of marriage began looking for a new young love within months of the tragedy.
Graeme Davidson, 55, planned a new life overseas soon after the death of mum-of-three Jacqueline, 54, and jetted off to start afresh in Thailand just five months later.
Ms Davidson drowned while canoeing with her husband on Lake Samsonvale, north of Brisbane, on November 27, 2020.
It was initially thought to be a tragic accident and Queensland Police at the time said there were no suspicious circumstances.
But on May 4, as Davidson made a flying visit back to Australia, detectives swooped to arrest him for his wife's alleged murder and an alleged $1million life insurance plot.
Davidson has now been charged with murder, fraud and attempted fraud.
Daily Mail Australia recently revealed Davidson left Brisbane in April 2021 to move to the Thai resort of Hua Hin, 200km south of Bangkok, where he married Pick Pattraporn, in December 2022.
It can now be revealed his new Thai wife was just the latest of his romantic conquests in South East Asia.
Real estate agent Ploy Ranu, then 28, connected with Davidson on a dating app and was excited to go on a date with the wealthy widower
Not long after he first touched down in Thailand, he signed up on several dating apps and quickly began looking for love with local women.
Scots-born Davidson, who served 33 years in both the British and Australian military, scoped out Thai women almost 30 years his junior.
But he made clear to all potential dates that he was watching out for 'gold diggers' - and would quickly dump anyone showings signs of only being interested in his cash.
Real estate agent Ploy Ranu, then 28, connected with Davidson on one of the apps and was excited to go on a date with the former military man.
'We met on an online application, we talked for a while and then decided to meet,' Ms Ranu told Daily Mail Australia.
'He seemed like a fun, calm, reasonable person who cared about his appearance and health and he dressed well.
'He told me the lady should work, but didn't tell me what else he wanted in a partner.
'But I think appearance, conversation and occupation also seemed to play a part in his choice.'
Ranu was impressed when Davidson pulled out all the stops taking her to Supatra By The Sea, considered to be the fanciest restaurant in Hua Hin.
The couple finished off the evening with drinks after at nearby La Birra Bistro Beer and Wine.
While she said Davidson spoke of his wife and children during their time together, he never once mentioned Ms Davidson was dead.
'He said that he had broken up with his wife, but did not give details about how they broke up,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'He has a house and farm in Australia and wanted to give the house to his daughter to live there.
'He talked a little about his home abroad and his daughter and son but didn't talk much about his wife.'
Davidson also showed off the plush beach house house he'd almost finished renovating, and told her it was the second property he owned in Hua Hin.
However he later cooled on Ms Ranu and decided she was not the right match for him, cutting off all contact suddenly.
'He watches how you are, how women are... like for example the place and the food that she chooses,' Ms Ranu said.
'If she chooses to go to a fancy place and orders expensive food every time, then he thinks she hasn't gone to a nice place before or he thinks she is a gold digger.
'If he feels this way, he will not continue.'
Ms Ranu said that Davidson's cold rejection initially left her feeling vulnerable.
'I felt sorry after we didn't go forward. Inferior, like I needed to improve and wasn't ready for this man,' she said.
Davidson - who was a captain in the British Army and proudly wore an impressive array of medals at ceremonial events - was active in Hua Hin's expat community.
He married Ms Pattraporn, also a real estate agent, in a traditional ceremony in December 2022.
Dressed in a kilt with his bar of medals, Scots-born Davidson was filmed dancing down the street as he tied the knot, surrounded by his new wife's family and locals.
Ms Ranu said the first she knew of Davidson's arrest was when she heard about it on the local news last week
The set of miniature medals Davidson wore on his wedding day represent active service with the British Army in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Yugoslavia as well with the Australian Army in Afghanistan.
His adult son and two daughters do not appear in any of the pictures or video from the celebrations which went on late into the night.
It's believed his son Hamish has since joined him in Thailand and his daughter Robyn recently visited her father in Asia.
Davidson was arrested when detectives raided the Brisbane home where he was staying while in Australia and found him sleeping on a camp bed in the lounge room.
A close friend, who has known him since 2010, told Daily Mail Australia of his shock at the arrest.
'This is very raw and I know the children well,' said the friend, who wished to remain anonymous.
'Jacqui was a beautiful woman and very friendly, Graeme was a financially and career-driven individual.'
The former friend of the couple is now helping detectives with their investigation.
Ms Ranu said the first she knew of Davidson's arrest was when she heard about it on the local news last week.
She admits she was shocked initially but Ms Ranu said she feels sorry for Ms Pattraporn with her husband now languishing in an Australian jail.
'His wife will be so sad and confused,' Ranu said.
'I think she will be scared for now, but that will soon pass.'
Ms Pattraporn is being supported at the couple's home in Hua Hin by Davidson's son, Hamish who has joined her from his home in Bangkok.
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