Police keep open mind on Thai man found dead in water tank with cut throat

Police reported they were keeping an open mind to whether a local man was murdered or committed suicide after a body with a cut throat was found floating in a water tank at a house in the Isaan province of Roi Et.

The body of the dead man, believed to be 51 year old Chaiyut Pakakatet, was fished out of his water tank after a cousin noticed discoloured water as she prepared to cook some rice. A neighbour helped investigate the cause of the red water before she called the police.

The police found Chaiyut face down in the tank with a 10 centimetres’ wide by five centimetres’ deep cut to the throat. Two bloody knives, one meat cleaver, and a chef’s knife were discovered about 100 metres away from the tank and body.

Another relative of Chaiyut told the media he was unemployed, lived in the house alone and had become an alcoholic after his wife and children moved to another province. His mother had moved to a nearby temple several months ago and remained there.

The Nong Waeng Kaeng Police Station inspector sent the man’s body for an autopsy to Si Nakarin in Khon Kaen province to determine the cause of death.

The inspector police admitted suicide and murder were possible.

Relatives insist he was murdered because people don’t cut their throats and walk into a tank alone.

The police added they were questioning friends and neighbours who usually socialised with the victim before determining the outcome.

SOURCE: Khaosod | Dailynews | Channel 7