Austrian hangs himself over illness

PATONG: Austrian tourist Gerhard Buchhart yesterday hanged himself from a crossbeam in his hotel bathroom, just two weeks after his 50th birthday. Pol Capt Serm Kwannimit, of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette that a hotel maid discovered his body about 3:40 pm when she checked his room at Paradise Mansion, on Rat-U-Thit Rd, after he failed to check out. A suicide note found in his room explained that Mr Gerharb had been suffering from an illness for a long time and asked for his belongings to be returned to his home in Austria. His body was taken to Patong Hospital, where it will remain until arrangements are made for it to be sent home.