Tourists shocked as dead body is found on beach in Thailand
Tourists were shocked as a dead body was found on a beach in Thailand.
Tattoo artist Phanom Phongpim, 47, was lifeless when holidaymakers discovered him on the shores of Jomtien Beach in resort town Pattaya.
Police were called to the scene at around 8 am on July 6, when passers-by spotted the shirtless man lying motionless in the sand while they were exercising nearby.
He was face-up and wearing denim pants, with a broken Buddha amulet and phone on the ground next to him.
Several feet away, officers recovered a bag containing tattoo design folders, tattoo equipment, a red T-shirt, and sandals believed to belong to him.
Police cordoned off the scene to collect evidence as stunned tourists looked on.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanoknan Suksri said officers were investigating how Phanom died.
He added: ‘We have not yet determined the cause of death or whether foul play was involved.
‘The body will be sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital for a post-mortem exam.
‘The investigation is ongoing, including tracking the unidentified man who was the last person seen with the victim for questioning, to determine the exact cause of death.'
Officers recovered CCTV footage reportedly showing an overweight man arriving on a white Honda Click motorcycle at 4:34 am local time.
He walked onto the beach, near the place where Phanom's body was discovered.
Just 15 minutes later, Phanom was seen writhing on the ground before he stopped moving at around 5:23 am local time.
Phanom's close friend, Saman Saensopha, 46, said he visited him at his home on July 5, where the tattoo artist allegedly revealed he owed 2,500 baht in gambling debts.
He said: 'He told me if he can't pay it back, he would let the creditors kill him. That was the last thing he said to me.
'I do not believe my friend had taken his own life or died from natural causes. I believe he was murdered.'
A driver, Noi, 51, said he knew Phanom as they were both from the same hometown.
He said he has contacted Phanom's relatives in Si Sa Ket to come to Pattaya and collect his body.
