Phuket police suspect a Russian man, whose wounded body was found near Karon Beach, was murdered.
The Phuket Express reports that the man’s body was discovered yesterday, September 3, with severe slash wounds on his arms and a head injury. He has been named only as 27 year old Mr Ilia, a Russian national.
Karon Police were alerted to the discovery by a local resident just after 1pm. Officers, volunteer rescue members and a doctor arrived on the scene, where the man’s body – shirtless and wearing shorts – lay in a ditch near the Naga statue at Karon Beach.
According to the report, officers believe the man had been dead for at least 24 hours before his body was found. There were no signs of a struggle at the scene, however, the doctor at the scene suspected foul play. An autopsy will be carried out on the man’s body to determine the cause of death.
Police also found a black bag near the body, which contained 2 passports. One of the passports belonged to Mr Ilia, while the other belongs to a Russian woman. Immigration records show the victim entered Thailand on April 24 on a 90-day visa exempt stamp.
The authorities are now attempting to track down the Russian woman, thought to be the dead man’s girlfriend, and his child, who entered Thailand with the couple. Police believe the Russian may have been assaulted elsewhere, with his body then dumped at the location where it was later found.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
