The body of Thammanoo Thepthong, aged 55, was found around 6pm on May 30 by locals. It had been dumped in a canal near Putao Street, next to Wat Pranangsang.
Police told The Phuket News that on the day of the murder, Mr Thammanoo met up with his friend, Chakrit Ponklam, aged 35, at around 9am. They both went to Tesco Lotus in Thalang, where Mr Thammanoo withdrew B50,000 from his bank account.
The pair went to a motorbike shop, where Mr Thammanoo purchased a Honda motorbike for B42,500.
Later, the pair went to a karaoke bar, and a man named Prasit Sea-aong, aged 31, joined them for a drink. They then went back to Mr Thammanoo's house in Thalang, where it appears a fight broke out.
Police said the men had an argument, and Mr Chakrit used a metal stick to beat Mr Thammanoo, who then fell unconscious.
Mr Chakrit then allegedly asked Mr Prasit to help dump the body into the canal.
Mr Chakrit told The Phuket News, “I did it because Mr Thammanoo had a bad attitude. He said rude words to me and I got angry with him, so I fought with him and used the stick to hit him.
“He did not die instantly so I decided to dump his body in the canal.”
Both men were arrested for their involvement in the killing and disposing of the body.
Police investigators believe that maybe the men killed Mr Thammanoo because he recently sold land worth around B250,000, or maybe they wanted his cash.