Malaysian tourist “killed himself’

PATONG: Chong Chee Kian, 37, was found dead in his room at the Phuket Palace Hotel on Sirirat Rd yesterday. He appeared to have committed suicide by eating rat poison. Pol Col Chalit Thintanee, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette today that police had received a call from the hotel’s manager, who explained that staff had found Mr Chong dead, apparently having committed suicide. Col Chalit said, “Near the body we found rat poison and a letter saying that he wanted to commit suicide. There was rat poison in his mouth, too.” He added that police and doctors at Patong Hospital, where the body was later taken, believe Mr Chong died on Tuesday. The Malaysian came to Phuket on a diving holiday and had been staying at the hotel for the past two months. Col Chalit said that he understood Mr Chong was suffering from mental problems and had threatened to commit suicide on several previous occasions. “He was suicidal,” he said. “Police had already received a number of calls from people reporting that Mr Chong had said he wanted to kill himself.”