At 6am, Phuket City police were called to a house in Moo Baan Thorranee Tong on Thepkasattri Rd in Rassada where a man had shot himself dead.
Police, Kusoldharm rescue workers and forensic expert, Lt Kittisak Noopeing arrived at the two storey townhouse and found the body of former police Senior Sergeant Maj Chanat Bumpen, 65, lying on the bed with a gunshot wound to his left temple.
A .38 calibre pistol was on the bed between his legs.
Police said they found no sign of foul play, robbery or assault and that the man had been dead for at least one hour.
SSM Chanat took early retirement from the police in 2004 due to health issues. He had been in and out of hospital after being diagnosed with embolism, his wife told police.
“He had been complaining about his illness all night and said that he was in too much pain,” she said.
SSM Chanat̕s body was taken to Vachira Hospital.
If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health services, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-713-6791 (English), 02713-6793 (Thai) or Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).