Police came to investigate after neighbours reported a rotten smell emanating from the house.
Inside, officers found the body of former Phuket Court policeman Lt Anan Thongkam, 65, lying on the bed. It could be seen that he had bled copiously from his nose and mouth. His face was purple. He had been dead for at least two days.
Police could find no sign of foul play, but relatives said that a gold bracelet Lt Anan always wore was missing.
One relative said, “I called him on Friday and there was no answer. But he was always healthy so his death seems very suspicious. We believe he was poisoned and whoever did it stole the bracelet.”
Lt Anan was known among his neighbours as the man to go to for a loan.
Police are investigating.