British man found dead in Sattahip condo, suspected suicide

A 58 year old British man was found dead in his condo bathroom in Sattahip, Chon Buri on May 27. Sattahip police responded to a report of a suspected suicide at a luxury condominium behind Bang Saray Market.

Upon entering the third-floor room, police discovered the man, identified by police as Michael Devalle, dead in the bathroom. He appeared to have hanged himself using a belt. Police estimated that he might have passed away around 10 hours earlier, with no signs of physical violence observed on his body.

The body was transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok for a full autopsy.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Pattanann Somnuan, the investigating officer at the Sattahip Police Station, reported that Devalle had been involved in an argument with his Thai girlfriend earlier that day. The girlfriend reportedly left the condominium around 3am.

Concerned by Devalle’s lack of response and failure to leave his room, the condo caretaker checked on him. Finding the room locked and receiving no answer after knocking, the caretaker notified the police, leading to the discovery.

Sattahip police have informed the British Embassy and Devalle’s family about the incident. They are attempting to locate and question the girlfriend as part of their ongoing investigation.

In related news, friends and family suspect foul play after discovering the naked body of a Thai man hanging outside his home in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet.

A 35 year old Thai man, Somkid Saokaew, discovered the dead body of his manager, Rapin, outside the deceased’s home in the Mueang district of Kampaengphet on April 4, and reported the death to Mueang Kampaengphet Police Station.

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.