Lt Pongsatorn Pothong of the Patong Police said that he was notified that a person had discovered the body at 2pm.
Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of Lt Seri Phupet, 79.
Both of Mr Seri’s legs were pinned under a fallen tree, and he had a machete by his side, Lt Pongsathorn noted.
Lt Pongsatorn explained to The Phuket News that Mr Seri’s daughter had come to Patong Police Station only yesterday morning to report that her father had been missing for six days after he went out and failed to return home.
No explanation was given for why the daughter had waited so long before reporting her father as missing.
The daughter has now confirmed that the body found was that of her father, he said.
“It appears the tree fell on him and he was unable to free himself. However, we are still waiting for doctors to confirm the cause of death,” Lt Pongsathorn said.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub