Gay man dies mysteriously in Chon Buri, valuables missing

A gay man died mysteriously in his rented room in Chon Buri. His friends suspect foul play as valuables worth over 200,000 baht went missing.

The deceased’s friend, 38 year old Suna Khamkot, reported the death of 49 year old Pradit Sangkrueyoo to Nong Kham Police Station yesterday, September 3. Suna was unable to contact Pradit, so he went to check on him and found him lying lifeless on the bed.

Suna explained that he and Pradit had been drinking beer together the previous night, September 2, to celebrate as Pradit won a lottery prize. They parted ways at around 10.30pm and Pradit rode his motorcycle home alone.

Suna went to work in the morning but noticed that Pradit was not there. He failed to contact the friend and decided to take a half-day leave to check on him. Suna said he initially could not enter the room as it was locked from the inside. He then contacted Pradit’s older brother, who lived next door, to open the room for him.

According to Suna, Pradit was lying face down on his bed, and his valuables, including a gold necklace and bracelet worth over 200,000 baht, were missing. Suna insisted that his friend was wearing the gold accessories when they were together the previous night.

The police told ThaiRath that Pradit was found wearing a white tank top and black shorts. He was lying face down, with his head turned towards the footboard. His arms were under his body, and his right leg was hanging off the side of the bed.

Teenage sex partner suspected

Officers did not find any wounds on Pradit’s body, and there were no signs of a struggle in the room. The cause of his death remains under investigation and his body is undergoing an autopsy at Laem Chabang Hospital.

Pradit’s older brother told ThaiRath that he rarely spoke with his brother because they were both busy with work and did not meet often, despite living next door to each other. He mentioned that Pradit suffered from coronary heart disease and received treatment for a long time.

Suna acknowledged that he was aware of Pradit’s heart condition. He said he might believe that Pradit’s death was due to illness or lack of sleep if the valuables were not missing.

Suna added that a teenage man who frequently visited Pradit’s accommodation might be a suspect. Pradit, who was a member of the LGBTQA+ community, engaged in sexual activity with the teenager, but they were not in a serious relationship.

Suna said he had never met the teenager in person, did not know where he lived, and was unsure about his behaviour or whether he could be the culprit.

The police investigation is ongoing.

Photo via Nation TV