Phuket pond cleanup uncovers dumped motorbike

PHUKET: Police are looking into whether a motorbike found this morning dumped in a lagoon in Rawai was stolen or had been involved in a crime.

Rawai Municipality officials found the red-and-black Yamaha Nouvo after they began dredging the Baan Sai Yuan public pond near the Rawai Palm Beach Resort at about 10am.

“The pond was shallow because mud was blocking the waterway, so I ordered officers to get in there and clear the pond to ensure better water drainage.” Rawai Mayor Arun Soros said.

Officials found the motorcycle about 30 minutes later, removing it from the muddy lake bottom and reporting the find to Chalong Police Station.

“The bike, with Phuket license plate [KorWorLor] 44, looks like it had been in the pond for at least a month,” Mayor Arun said.

Police are now investigating who the registered owner of the motorbike is and checking whether it has been reported stolen.

The Phuket Gazette notes that the motorbike does not match the description of that belonging to missing American expat Brett Bean, whose motorbike was a silver-colored 125cc Honda (story here).

— Kritsada Mueanhawong