Deep South Army officer found dead in Phuket pond

PHUKET: Police will conduct an autopsy on the body of a Deep South Army officer whose remains were found in a Phuket pond yesterday.

Police and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the scene, behind Rock Garden Village in Rassada, at about 3:45pm, where the body of Sgt Jassada Suton, 31, was found.

Sgt Jassada was stationed with the Army’s 44th division, which is based in the insurgency-hotbed province of Yala.

“On the body was a belt bag containing two magazines of ammunition, 1,000 baht cash and his government ID card. There was an 11mm gun in his left pocket and he was holding a car key,” said Lt Col Sien Kaewthong of the Phuket City Police.

Police found Sgt Jassada’s black Mitsubishi pick-up truck parked near a warehouse not far from the pond.

“The vehicle was in good condition and did not appear to have been ransacked,” Col Sien told the Phuket Gazette.

Sgt Jassada’s body was dressed in a black t-shirt and camouflage pants, and was floating face down in the pond when it was discovered by local villagers.

“At this stage, we believe Sgt Jassada died about three days before his body was found. We found no signs of assault on the body,” Col Sien said.

“It is possible that he got drunk and fell into the pond, as we found a bottle of whiskey in his car.”

Police yet to rule out foul play and will continue their investigation while awaiting confirmation of the cause of death.

“At the family’s request, we have agreed to send Sgt Jassada’s body to the Institute of Forensic Science in Surat Thani, where forensic officers at Region 8 Police headquarters will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death,” Col Sien said.

Sgt Jassada’s truck was impounded as evidence and taken to Phuket City Police Station.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong