Foul smell led to discovery of decomposing body northern Thailand
Students in Nakhon Ratchasima, drawn by a foul smell that made them suspect a dead animal, discovered a decomposing body in a house. It was later identified as a man who had been dead for over five days.
Nakhon Ratchasima police responded to reports of a deceased man found in a house in the Mueang district. The discovery was made yesterday, prompting officers, along with rescue volunteers from Sawang Metta Khorat, to quickly rush to the scene.
The location, a two-storey concrete house partly converted into student dormitories, was where 47 year old Thanakrit was found deceased in the downstairs living area.
The deceased, who owned the dormitory, had hung himself, and his body was in an advanced state of decomposition, emitting a strong, unpleasant odour.
A student renting the room in the dormitory, 21 year old Ae confirmed that the smell had been lingering for about three days. Initially suspecting a dead animal, Ae and a friend decided to investigate.
When the smell intensified, they reported it to the dormitory owner, who is also the father of the deceased. Unable to enter the locked room, they forced it open and discovered the decomposing body.
Police had to light incense to mitigate the foul smell before removing the body for an autopsy at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. Preliminary findings indicate that Thanakrit had been dead for at least five days, and there were no signs of foul play or evidence suggesting a crime.
Thanakrit’s father, who lives next door, reported that his son lived alone and worked as a tool sharpener and general labourer. Despite living nearby and sharing meals occasionally, they did not communicate much, so he was unaware of any issues his son might have been facing.
Ae noted that while the deceased was generally helpful to others, he had a speech impediment that made conversations difficult. They mostly exchanged greetings and did not engage in deeper conversations, leaving the cause of Thanakrit’s death a mystery to those around him, reported KhaoSod.
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.
