Police were called to the Phuket City Police Station apartment complex in Talat Yai at about 10:30pm, following reports that an officer had taken his own life inside one of the units.
Upon receiving the alert, Pol Lt Saruta Phumduang, Deputy Inspector for Investigations at Phuket City Police Station, notified station superintendent Pol Col Chatree Chukaew, who responded immediately.
Inside the room, officers found the body of Pol Lt Col Chawalit Asachamnan, 42, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Karon Police Station. A Glock 19 pistol was found beside him, with a single round still chambered. One spent 9mm casing was recovered at the scene.
The officer’s wife, Supa Noi-dee, told police that her husband had been intoxicated before the incident. The couple had argued shortly before he took a handgun from the top of the refrigerator at the back of the room and shot himself, she said.
Forensic officers from the Phuket Provincial Forensic Science Office joined investigators in examining the scene. Dr Athit Suravisankul, a forensic pathologist from Vachira Phuket Hospital, conducted a preliminary examination of the body before it was transferred by the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation for further examination.
Police said the body will be released to the family for religious rites once the medical examination is complete.
An investigation is continuing.
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