Corpse with distinctive tattoo washes up twice
PHUKET: The body of a man first spotted floating in the sea near Koh Taphao Yai on Sunday was recovered yesterday when it reappeared 25km away off Koh Racha Yai.
Residents on Koh Taphao Island notified authorities when they saw the body, but after Marine Police arrived, they were unable to locate it.
The body was seen again yesterday off the west coast of Koh Racha Yai, retrieved, and brought to the Phuket Marine Biological Center Pier on Phuket.
The corpse had a wound to the back of the neck, and police speculate that the man was a Thai or Myanmar fisherman who was thrown into the sea after a fight, said Capt Somkid Ornjan, an investigator with the Wichit Police.
“The man had four 10-baht coins in his pocket, but no identification,” said Capt Somkid.
However, he bore a distinctive tattoo, the letters “ROCKE 9” on his left forearm. He was wearing a black-and-white-striped long sleeve shirt and black pants with an eagle embroidered on the back pocket. On his left hand was a rubber glove, said Capt Somkid.
“We will continue working to identify the body,” he said.
Meanwhile, the man’s body has been transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem to confirm the cause of death.
— Kritsada Mueanhawong
