Suthorn Thamta, 59, of the Phuket City waterworks division at 9:10am reported finding the body under one of two water towers, each 25 metres tall, on Damrong Rd.
At the scene, police found one flip-flop in a bush seven metres away from the body and a matching flip-flop on a cross-bream third level of a tower, 12 metres off the ground.
“There are three distinct wounds on the man’s head and a long scrape on the left side of his torso,” said Lt Somchai Nooboon of the Phuket City Police.
“We found B200 inside his pants’ pocket, but no identification.”
However, the man was soon identified as 29-year-old Sompong Wijit, a local resident in the area. He was identified by his own father, Somchai Wijit, 50, who arrived at the scene after being told that a body had been found under the nearby water towers.
“We think Mr Sompong died at least six to eight hours before his body was discovered, but will wait for doctors at Vachira Hospital determine that and confirm the cause of death,” Lt Somchai said.
Forensic police were also at the scene this morning.
“We theorise that Mr Sompong fell from the water tower. However, his father believes otherwise,” he added.
“Mr Somchai said he did not think his son fell off the tower because the body was found with several wounds on the head, and believes that someone might have attacked Mr Sompong on the tower and dumped his body over the side.”
Residents in the area said they saw Mr Sompong arguing with a group of teenagers near the tower last night, Lt Somchai said, adding, “But they did not pay much attention to them.”
“We are investigating to find out what exactly happened to Mr Sompong and we will find this group of teens that residents talked about and bring them in for questioning,” Lt Somchai assured.