SI RACHA, Thailand – A 69-year-old Australian man fell from the sixth floor of a condo complex in Si Racha, Chon Buri, early on August 11 and died. Police are checking whether the fall was intentional, but are still awaiting autopsy and investigation results.
Cops found paint or dust marks on the man’s hands and feet. He was wearing blue pyjamas and was declared dead at the scene.
Police probe possible intentional fall
Officers believe the man fell from the sixth-floor room of a condo in Moo 4, Surasak subdistrict. First findings suggest he climbed onto the balcony before the plunge.
Investigators do not rule out a link to personal stress. The marks on his palms and soles suggest he climbed onto the balcony.
No signs of struggle in the room
Police searched the man’s apartment. According to officers, the room looked normal.
No evidence of a disturbance or a fight was found. The exact circumstances of the fall remain unclear.
Resident heard loud thud
Rescuers from Sawang Pratheep Si Racha and officers from Si Racha police station were called to the complex around 6 am. A foreign resident on the second floor told police he heard a loud impact.
I was the first to find the body.
said the foreign resident, who gave his account to police.
He went to his balcony and saw the 69-year-old lying on a lower balcony area of the building. He told officers he had no idea how the fall happened.
Autopsy to clarify cause of death
The deceased was identified by authorities as Andre Schuster, an Australian citizen. He had been living alone in the complex for less than a year, according to initial reports.
Police had the body sent to Laem Chabang Hospital for a forensic examination. The cause of death and the circumstances of the fall will be determined by the autopsy and further investigation.
Help for emotional distress
People in emotional distress in Thailand can reach the Samaritans hotline 24/7 on 02 713 6791 in English or 02 713 6793 in Thai. The Thai mental health hotline is available on 1323.
Anyone feeling lonely, stressed, or depressed should also turn to friends or relatives and seek help.