Homeless veteran found dead under Bangkok expressway

A homeless veteran was found dead under the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi, with a fractured skull, sparking a police investigation to capture the assailant.

In a sombre discovery beneath the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi province, authorities found the lifeless body of a homeless veteran with severe injuries to his head. The incident, which occurred under the shadow of the bustling expressway in the early hours of today, February 19, has become the centre of an intense police investigation.

Officers from the Pak Kret Police Station, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthanapon Intharuangsorn, were alerted to the grisly scene in the sub-district of Khlong Kluea. The veteran, estimated to be around 60 years old, was found slumped over an old sofa, wearing a navy long-sleeved shirt and grey shorts. His skull was visibly fractured, and his face was covered in blood – a testament to the violent act that had taken his life.

At the scene, investigators discovered a broken three-footed stick, with bloodstains marking it as a potential weapon. One piece lay near the body, while another was found about 20 metres away. These items were swiftly collected as evidence.

Prasert Yingnok, a 65 year old retired postal worker, recounted the morning’s events. He had brought food for the victim around 8am, only to find him lying unusually still on the sofa. The local community was alerted, and upon realising the gravity of the situation, they contacted the police. Prasert knew the victim for over 40 years, having worked together in construction and witnessed the victim’s habitual drinking and occasionally boisterous behaviour when intoxicated.

The victim, identified as Banyat Massaeng, approximately 58 years old, had lived under the expressway for over five years. A known figure in the area, he was often seen with a 68 year old fellow companion, Boonyod Maneechai. However, following the incident, Boonyod was nowhere to be found, which raised suspicions and prompted the authorities to seek him out for questioning.

Medical examiner

The police recorded testimonies from those who discovered the body and are gathering information from acquaintances. The medical examiner estimates the time of death to be between eight to 12 hours before the body’s discovery. The investigation is ongoing as the police look for Boonyod, while the body has been transferred to the forensic institute for further examination.

This tragic event has cast a spotlight on the plight of homeless veterans and the dangers they face on the streets. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the final moments of the victim’s life and bring justice to this senseless act of violence, reported KhaoSod.