Police believe the body fished out of the lagoon is that of 24-year-old Muhammad Hakiki from Indonesia, who was reported as missing last Saturday (May 7) by 28-year-old friend Eakkachai Intarathon. (See story here.)
Mr Hakiki was a trainee hotel staffer at the Merlin Beach Resort at Tritrang, south of Patong, but lived at accommodation provided by the hotel near where the body was found on Monday.
“Although Mr Eakkachai insisted that the body was not that of Mr Hakiki, we are proceeding with our investigation,” said Capt Wattanathon Bumrongthin of the Kathu Police (formerly called the Thung Thong Police).
“A toothbrush and some hair samples collected from Mr Hakiki’s room were sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine centre in Surat Thani for DNA comparison with the DNA of the body,” he added.
Since Mr Hakiki’s disapperance, police have checked CCTV in and around the areas where Mr Hakiki worked and lived, Capt Wattanathon told The Phuket News.
“We also questioned all his friends and co workers and we checked his room. His belongings are still there, including his passport. His friends posted a message on Facebook asking people to help find him, but so far there has been nothing,” he added.
“We have notified the Indonesian Embassy about Mr Hakiki’s disappearance,” Capt Wattanathon confirmed.
People are urged to report any information that may help locate Mr Hakiki to the Kathu Police at 076-321182 or to the Merlin Beach Resort at 076-294300.