Finnish expat dies in Phuket

PHUKET CITY: A Scandinavian expat was found dead in his Patong apartment on Tuesday night, police said.

Kathu Police Duty Officer Jongserm Preecha identified the deceased as 62-year-old Jan Christer Hoglund, from Finland.

Mr Hoglund’s body was discovered at around 11pm by his Thai wife, age 31.

The woman told police she made the discovery after returning from Phuket City to take part in the annual Vegetarian Festival with a friend, Maj Jongserm said.

The couple lived together in an unnamed apartment block located just across from the Kathu Police Station in Patong.

Maj Jongserm said Mr Hoglund had lived in Phuket for two years on a government pension from his home country.

There were no wounds to Mr Hoglund’s body or other signs of foul play, Maj Jongserm said.

Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy report from Patong Hospital, where his body is being held for examination.

Police estimate the time of death at about three hours before the body was discovered.

The Embassy of Finland has already been notified and will contact his family.

The wife of the deceased, who runs a beauty salon in the area, is prepared to arrange funeral services here in Phuket if his family does not want the body repatriated, Maj Jongserm said.

— Atchaa Khamlo