Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers fished the body of suspect drug dealer Somkid Pakdeesuwan, 31, out of the water yesterday (Dec 25).
His body was found floating near the marina sea break wall in front of Phuket Yacht Control Center at about 10am by Marine Police Deputy Inspector Lt Prapan Chanprakon, who was on duty to provide security for tourists boarding and disembarking boats at Chalong Pier.
Mr Somkid, from Songkhla, allegedly fled police officers on patrol and jumped into the water at the pier around 2:30am on Wednesday (Dec 23), said Lt Col Thada Sodarat of the Chalong Police.
“Traffic patrol officers reported that while they were patrolling the street near Chalong Pier, they saw Mr Somkid sitting on a Yamaha Fino by the side of the road waiting for somebody,” he said.
“As soon as he saw the police, he sped off toward the Yacht Control Centre and left his motorbike there. Officers saw him run down the pier and jump into the water.
“They tried to find him, but it was too dark and the waves were strong, However, they found a plastic bag containing 5,195 ya ba (methamphetamine) pills floating in the area where he disappeared.”
Police found drugs on Mr Somkid’s body when it was recovered from the water yesterday, Col Thada said.
“Around his waist was a brown bag containing four small plastic bags which contained total of 40 ya ba pills, one gram of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) in four small bags, a digital scale as well as B500 in cash and small amounts in other currencies, including a US$5 bill, and other documents,” he said.
“We also found a pocket knife and a mobile phone in his pockets, and a set of keys tied to his belt.”
No signs of foul play or assault were found on the body,” Col Thada said.
“We presume that he died soon after entering the water, but we have had the body taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for doctors to confirm the time and cause of death before we close our investigation” he added.
“We believe that Mr Somkid was afraid the police would search him and find drug, so he fled, threw the bag of drugs away and jumped off the pier hoping to escape arrest.
“He was probably waiting to deliver drugs to his client that morning,” Col Thada said.