The body of ex-Sgt Jessada Suthon, 31, was pulled out of a tin mine lake behind Rock Garden Village on Thung Ka Rd at about 2:30pm Sunday (November 23).
He was spotted floating face-down on the water by a local resident. Authorities on the scene said they believed that Sgt Jessada, who was from Phang Nga province, had been dead for two days.
Pol Lt Col Kittisak Noopeung, Scientific Specialist of Forensic Office, said that on the body police found an 11mm pistol with two magazines, a mobile phone, cash and a car key – which was for a black Mitsubishi Pajero Sports car that was parked nearby.
A check revealed the vehicle was registered in Bangkok and owned by his mother. Inside the car, police found a bottle of brandy, a bottle of water, and strands of a woman’s hair.
Police are in the process of gathering more information, including searching through mobile phone records, for possible leads as to the cause of death.
Earlier on Sunday the body of a 30-year-old Thai man was found floating in the canal in Thalang.
A relative of Chanwit Pongpa, 30, discovered his lifeless body in the canal and phoned police. The 76-year-old relative told police she had last seen Chanwit the night before, drinking in front of her home with her husband.
The body had scratches on the wrist and a wound to the forehead. Emergency rescue workers say they believe the man died roughly five hours before the body was found.