Suicide or foul play: Mystery surrounds man’s death in Bangkok (video)

Police are investigating the mysterious death of a Thai man who allegedly committed suicide soon after a drunken row with his Burmese wife. The Thai man bit his Burmese wife’s lip before allegedly committing suicide by setting himself on fire at their shared home in the Saimai district of Bangkok on April 7. However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery.

The 51 year old Thai man, Amnart, was found dead at his home in Soi Phahonyothin 54/1 at around 10.30pm on April 7. His body was found charred on his bed, with a cooking gas cylinder located nearby.

Amnart’s relative, Kai, reported his death to Saimai Police Station. She told officers that Amnart finished his work as a security guard at about 7pm and drank alcohol with her husband at her house until 8pm before returning home.

Kai mentioned that Amnart’s house was adjacent to hers, allowing her and her husband to overhear a heated argument between Amnart and his Burmese wife, Lee. Subsequently, they heard Lee crying out for help, prompting them to rush to the couple’s aid.

Upon entering the house, Kai observed Amnart seated on a sofa in his bedroom and discovered Lee with blood covering her face. As Kai approached to assist her, Lee hurriedly exited the house.

Kai then followed Lee and discovered that Amnart had bitten her lip. Kai accompanied Lee to the hospital for medical attention.

Upon returning home from the hospital, Kai and Lee discovered that Amnart’s residence was engulfed in flames. The couple, with other neighbours, managed to put out the fire but were unable to save Amnart. They believed that Amnart committed suicide by setting himself on fire.

Murder suspected

Ekkaphop Lueangprasert, the founder of the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, stepped forward to monitor the investigation, noting several suspicious aspects of the case.

Firstly, despite Amnart’s body being entirely burnt, his bed displayed no signs of fire damage. Additionally, Amnart sustained a severe cut on his left leg, with police yet to determine whether it was self-inflicted or caused by someone else.

The autopsy introduced another puzzling element to the case, revealing that Amnart died from inhaling cooking gas rather than the fire itself.

Investigators are now delving into how Amnart came into contact with the gas and exploring whether the incident was a suicide or a murder.

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.