Belgian man commits suicide at a Phuket shooting range

A Belgian man reportedly took his own life at a shooting range in Phuket yesterday. The motive of the suicide is under investigation.

Officers from Chalong Police Station rushed to investigate Sai Yuan Shooting Range in the Rawai sub-district, Mueang district of Phuket after being notified about the death of the Belgian man, who was later identified as a 52 year old Christian Richard Cerfontaine.

Cerfontaine’s lifeless body was discovered near a shooting booth. The man was dressed in a long-sleeved striped shirt, a cream-coloured jacket, jeans, and white sneakers. He had a gunshot wound to his head. Nearby the body, officers found a .38 calibre firearm that was used in the tragic suicide.

Cerfontaine’s body was transferred to Wachira Phuket Hospital for a thorough autopsy. The relevant departments reported they would contact the Belgian embassy to notify the deceased’s family about the death.

According to shooting range staff members, Cerfontaine arrived on his motorcycle. He proceeded to select a firearm, paid the necessary fees, and made his way to one of the shooting stations. After firing at the target once, he turned the gun towards himself and suddenly shot himself. A staff member attempted to intervene but could not reach him in time.

After an investigation of Cerfontaine’s house in the area, the police discovered a driving license and a document indicating that he had overstayed his visa by 90 days.

Police officers believed that the financial difficulties and business problems might motivate Cerfontaine to take his own life but further investigation would be conducted to find out the true motivation behind this.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.