Body found at Nai Thon Beach believed to be missing police captain

A body found washed ashore at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket on Sunday morning is believed to be that of a missing police captain who disappeared at sea two days earlier. Sakoo police were notified at about 6.30am on May 17 after villagers reported a male body on the sand near the Por Talay Toh shrine in Moo 4, Sakoo.

Officers who examined the scene with a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital found a Thai man, described as middle-aged with dark skin, wearing only black underwear. The body was swollen and had abrasions, and the initial examination indicated he had been dead for about two days, police said.

Search began after man was swept out in heavy surf

The disappearance was first reported at about 6.30pm on May 15, when an unidentified man entered the sea at Nai Thon Beach and was pulled offshore by waves in strong winds. Lifeguards tried to reach him but could not complete the rescue because of rough water and a strong current.

Police said the man left behind a bronze Toyota Camry with Chiang Rai license plate Kor Tor 4336, which officers checked to identify the registered owner. The first search around the beach ended temporarily at about 7pm without locating him.

Shoreline search continued as weather blocked sea operations

Authorities set up a missing-person search command center at Nai Thon Beach on May 16. Strong surf prevented any water search, so teams remained on land and checked rocks and the shoreline before ending operations at about 4pm.

Police said the abrasions on the body were consistent with it being pushed by waves and rolled in sand. The remains were sent with Kusoldharm Phuket rescue workers to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a full post-mortem examination. Investigators believe the body is Pol Capt Thapanpap Awatjananukul, 25, a deputy inspector from Thai Mueang Police Station in Phang Nga, and relatives will be asked to confirm the identification.

Source: https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/5867797/