Korean commits suicide in Phuket

PHUKET: A Korean man found hanging by the neck at a Patong guesthouse this week had told his long-term Thai girlfriend he had safely returned to South Korea, police said.

The body of 34-year-old Lee Jai Yup was discovered at Tina Guesthouse on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Just days earlier, Mr Lee had seen off his girlfriend of five years and the couple’s young son at Phuket Airport on a flight to Udon Thani.

He sent her an email saying he had arrived safely home in Korea, then checked into the guesthouse.

At 3:20pm on Tuesday, Kathu Police Station Duty Officer Jakkapong Luang-aon received a report that a body had been discovered by a maid in the guesthouse.

Capt Jakkapong and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue volunteers went to the scene where they discovered Mr Lee hanging from his neck by a nylon cord tied to an air conditioner mounting bracket.

There were no signs of a struggle and no other wounds on Mr Lee’s body, which was taken to Patong Hospital for examination.

Capt Jakkapong said investigation revealed Mr Lee lived in the Thung Thong area of Kathu with his Thai girlfriend and their child for about five years.

Police have yet to establish how he earned his living, but believe he worked over the internet.

The Korean Embassy has been informed of Mr Lee’s death and Mr Lee’s sister has already identified the body after flying in from Korea.

Mr Lee had not returned to his native country in three years, she told police.

Mr Lee’s girlfriend is returning to Phuket to collect the body from the hospital.

The police have not yet established why Mr Lee chose to commit suicide.