Newborn dumped, found dead in Phuket trash pile

PHUKET: A newborn baby boy with a rubber band twisted tightly around its neck was found dead in a pile of rubbish in southern Phuket beach area of Rawai yesterday afternoon.

The baby, estimated to have been dead for over 24 hours, was spotted by Rawai Municipality trash truck driver Sutham Kansuwan on his regular route along Soi Suksan 1, said Deputy Superintendent Jumroon Plaiduang.

“We were picking up trash as usual when noticed a black plastic bag covered by a red shirt that smelled foul,” Mr Sutham told the Phuket Gazette.

“We opened the bag, and were shocked to see the tiny hand of a dead newborn baby – we immediately called the police,” he said.

The infant’s body was heavily bruised. It weighed about 2.7 kilograms and still had the umbilical cord attached, said Lt Col Jumroon.

“At this stage we believe the mother was not ready to raise the child, so she dumped it,” Lt Col Jumroon said. “The body has been sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital.”

“We are now searching for the mother to prosecute her,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong