Man found dead in pickup truck with charcoal brazier in Phuket Town

A 48-year-old man was found dead inside a locked pickup truck in Phuket Town on Saturday night, 5 September 2026, with an extinguished charcoal brazier beneath the passenger seat.

Phuket City Police received a report at about 10pm that the man, identified as Sangat Pitarate, had been found unconscious in a silver Isuzu pickup parked outside the Kluay Nam Wa shop.

Police, a doctor and forensic personnel found Mr Sangat reclined in the driver’s seat. All four doors were locked and the key remained in the ignition. Officers said the brazier’s fire had gone out, but smoke could still be smelled inside the vehicle.

There were no apparent signs of assault or injuries on his body. The attending doctor initially presumed that he had died from smoke inhalation.

Evidence was collected at the scene and a post-mortem examination was conducted. Police said further investigation would be carried out to establish the circumstances and motive for the death.