Phuket drowning victim identified

PHUKET: Police have identified the body of a man found washed up at Ao Yon over the weekend as that of Rawai resident Abdulloh Thaodaeng, aged 46.

Phuket City Police were notified that a body was discovered lying face up on Ao Yon beach in tambon Wichit at about 2:30am yesterday.

Police were initially unable to identify the corpse, clad only in a pair of blue underwear and wearing a gold ring and Seiko wristwatch. They noted some lacerations to the skin, but found no evidence of violence or foul play at the scene. They estimated the time of death at about six hours earlier.

The corpse was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further examination and to await identification by relatives.

Later the same day Mr Abdulloh’s relatives heard from friends that a body had washed up at Ao Yon.

Knowing that Mr Abdulloh had taken his boat out fishing the day before and had not returned, they went to Vachira Phuket, where they identified his remains.

Phuket City Police duty officer Kittiphum Thinthalang said police suspect Mr Abdulloh fell overboard and drowned in heavy surf.

His family have already claimed the body and will arrange funeral services in the Muslim tradition, Capt Kittiphum said.

— The Nation & S. Nongkaew