Finnish tourist death in Phuket possibly a suicide

PHUKET: Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a Finnish tourist Veijo Armas Vallius, found dead in his Phuket hotel room last week.

The body of 52-year-old Mr Vallius was discovered in a hotel room in Kamala on December 8.

Somnerk Damkeaw of the Kamala Police told the Gazette today that the body of Mr Vallius remains at the Patong Hospital morgue, as relatives have yet to claim it. His belongings remain in the hotel room where his body was discovered.

“The exact cause of death is still unknown. I’m currently awaiting results of a medical examination. I suspect he may have been depressed following the receipt of bad news of a medical nature,” said Capt Somnerk.

If relatives wish to know more about the cause of death, with their permission we can send his body to [Regional Police Headquarters in Surat Thani] for an autopsy,” he added.

Mr Vallius, who checked into the hotel on November 29, was found dead at about 1:30pm on December 8. From the condition of the body, police estimated the time of death at about eight hours previously.

“The hotel security guard told us he last saw Mr Vallius alive at around midnight the night before,” Capt Somnerk said.

“In his room, we found packs of sleeping pills and allergy medicine. On the bedside table were many empty sleeping pill packages. Inside his wallet we found a package of Viagra with some tablets missing,” he added.

A reliable source told the Gazette that a few days before his death Mr Vallius sent a message to his sister in Finland listing songs he wanted played at his funeral.

Capt Somnerk said he would contact the sister soon to confirm this information and question her more about her brother’s mental and physical state in the period leading up to his death.

— Atchaa Khamlo