Phuket ladyboy found dead from gunshot wound

WICHIT, PHUKET: Phuket City Police are searching for the killer of a 35-year-old ladyboy found dead on Saturday morning with a single bullet wound to the head.

The body of Wanchai Tongwijit, a restaurant employee from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, was found in an abandoned workers’ camp off Sakdidet Road Soi 7 in Tambon Wichit at around 6.45am.

Mr Wanchai’s body was discovered on the floor of an empty shack at an abandoned workers’ camp.

Police estimated he died around three hours before the discovery of the body.

Mr Wanchai had been shot clean through the head, the slug entering his head at the left temple and exiting through the right.

The deceased was wearing a light green batik shirt, black trousers, black bra and black high-heeled shoes.

He had two cell phone SIM cards in his clenched fist. His own cell phone was missing, as was his wallet.

Parked nearby was Mr Wanchai’s bronze Honda Wave motorcycle. In the bike’s seat police found a copy of his identity card.

His body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy.

Initial investigation by police has revealed that the night before his death Mr Wanchai went to work as normal at the Khum Khun Paen restaurant, near Nimit Circle in Phuket City.

After finishing his shift he departed as usual on his motorcycle.

Police think he may have arranged to meet a lover at the abandoned workers’ camp, where an argument broke out that ended in Mr Wanchai’s shooting.

Police are investigating a business dispute or infidelity as motives for the killing.

They hope the two SIM cards contain information about the killer.

Police expect to make arrests soon.

— Gazette reporter