Phuket landlord takes life by hanging

PHUKET: A wealthy Phuket landlord took his life by hanging yesterday while his two sons were asleep upstairs, according to a local news report.

Thalang Police duty office Somkhit Khaosang was notified of the death by a neighbor in a row of townhouses near the Heroines’ Monument at about 4pm, according to Siangtai Daily.

When officers, led by Thalang Police Superintendent Witoon Kongsudjai, arrived at the scene, they found the body of 32-year-old Montree Wongkaew hanging from the neck by a Thai loincloth knotted around a doorway-support beam in the downstairs guest room.

A large crowd of onlookers had gathered at the entrance of the home by the time officers arrived with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers.

Two small white poodles, apparently belonging to the deceased, continued to “guard” the corpse as rescue workers cut the loincloth and lowered the body onto a sofa, according to the report.

The discovery was made by a relative of the deceased, who came by to visit and opened the front door to find Mr Montree hanged as his two sons slept upstairs. The living room television was still on.

Initial police investigations revealed that Mr Montree was a wealthy landlord who owned a number of rental properties, including the row of rental townhouses where he made his own home.

Police found no signs of foul play.

— Siangtai Daily