Beachcomber’s nightmare in Nai Thon

NAI THON: Police are hoping to establish the identity of a headless and badly decomposed human corpse discovered washed up on Nai Thon Beach late Tuesday morning.

Sub Lt Thianchai Duangsuwan of the Tha Chat Chai Police Station told the Gazette the gruesome discovery was made at about 10:30 am on the stretch of beach in front of the Naithonburi Beach Resort.

“Although the head and legs were missing, we can identify it as that of a man. It was badly decayed and appears to have been partially eaten by marine animals,” said Lt Thianchai.

Photos of the corpse, prominently displayed on the front page of a daily Thai language newspaper, showed that the corpse was clad only in a pair of light blue underpants. The only flesh remaining was from the lower abdomen down to the knees.

“There were no cut marks or other signs that would indicate foul play, but we will continue to investigate. We hope that relatives will be able to identify and claim the body,” said Lt Thianchai.

From the man’s size it is more likely he is Asian and not Caucasian, police said. Lt Thianchai estimated the man died about two weeks ago.

“We suspect he may have been a crew member on a fishing boat,” said Lt Thianchai.

The corpse is currently being kept at the Thalang Hospital morgue.

If no one comes to claim the body it will be interred at the cemetery for tsunami victims in Mai Khao, he said.