Mystery death likely a suicide: Phuket Police

PHUKET: Phuket Police say suicide was the likely cause of death of a woman whose body was discovered in her rented home in Chalong earlier this month.

Although initial investigation suggested the possibility of murder, subsequent questioning of family members indicates that 41-year-old Chamaiporn Chuaykham probably took her own life, police said.

Chalong Police duty officer Chianchai Duangsuwan said the late Ms Chamaiporn’s younger brother Nattipong, who discovered the body on July 9, told police he found a book detailing various suicide methods inside the home where her body was found.

Although her body was badly decomposed, medical examination revealed no signs of trauma, said Capt Chianchai.

Mr Nattipong earlier said his sister had gone through “some big problems” in her life and had recently returned from a retreat at a temple in her native Trang province.

After her return, she asked him to come and keep her company, but later asked him to leave, Capt Chianchai quoted Mr Nattipong as saying.

This would have been consistent with her wanting to take her own life, he added.

However, a Phuket Gazette news reporter at the scene soon after the recovery of the body stands by her initial report.

“There were extensive bloodstains on the wall and trauma to the skull, and a pillow covered the face of the body,” the reporter says.

“If Ms Chamaiporn had taken her own life she must have done so in a very unusual fashion,” the reporter adds.