Pol Lt Col Thanom Thongpaen, an investigation officer with Thalang Police Station, received a call at around 10am from a nurse at Thalang Hospital, reporting the death of a foreign national at a local hotel in Tambon Thepkrasattri.
Officers later identified the deceased* and confirmed that he had checked into the hotel on Sunday (July 20) and was scheduled to check out on July 24.
Upon inspection, police found the man lying dead on the bed in his room. He was wearing a black T-shirt and still holding his mobile phone. There were no signs of a disturbance, no evidence of a break-in, and no visible injuries indicating foul play.
Police did observe that his elbow and wrist had been bandaged. Friends told authorities these injuries were the result of a recent motorbike accident.
Police said that the Australian Consulate in Phuket has been notified and a forensic doctor has been brought in to examine the scene.
The man’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Police said they were continuing their investigation.
* The Phuket News is withholding the man’s name pending confirmation that his next of kin have been notified.