PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 43-year-old man was found dead beside his crashed motorcycle on New Year’s morning in Banglamung, with more than 200 methamphetamine pills and several spent bullet casings lying nearby.
Body discovered after reported New Year’s crash
The incident occurred on 1 January 2026 at around 10 a.m. on a grassy roadside area along Soi Phu Yai Cha in Banglamung district. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Center in Pattaya was alerted to a fatal motorcycle accident and notified police and emergency responders. At the scene, officers found the body of Num Senanok, 43, lying in the grass next to an overturned, damaged black Honda MSX motorcycle bearing a license plate from Rayong province.
Methamphetamine pills and spent casings found on victim
During the evidence search, investigators found scattered methamphetamine tablets, locally known as “Yaba,” apparently fallen from a transparent plastic bag. In a black shoulder bag belonging to the dead man, they found a blue case containing more than 200 additional pills. In the man’s right trouser pocket, police discovered five fired .38 bullet casings, but no corresponding firearm was located at the scene, and he was also carrying a knife in a sheath at the front of his waistband.
Village official and coworker describe discovery
The assistant village headman of Moo 5, Waew Innet, said residents had noticed the unusually positioned motorcycle and informed him.
“When I arrived, the man was already lying dead in the grass, with the drugs next to him. I immediately notified the authorities,”
said Waew, assistant village headman. Shortly afterward, Apiwan, 33, arrived at the site and told officers she had worked with the deceased at a construction site.
Victim had been missing from worker camp
According to Apiwan, the man had been missing from the workers’ camp for about two days.
“This morning we wanted to look for the motorcycle he had borrowed and not returned. Then we learned of his death,”
said Apiwan, coworker. She stated this to the police at the scene as officers continued to document the position of the body and the motorcycle.
Police probe possible criminal background
Initial inquiries were led by Pol. Lt. Apichet Methithamaporn, deputy head of the Bang Lamung police investigation division, together with his team. Officers thoroughly documented the scene, collected all evidence and had the body transported for a formal forensic autopsy. Forensic specialists were tasked with determining whether the death was caused solely by the accident or whether other factors played a role.
Focus on drug source and missing firearm
In parallel, investigators examined where the narcotics had come from, why the man was carrying spent bullet casings and whether there was any link to criminal networks. Police said they would continue the investigation strictly in line with applicable laws and would focus in particular on the origin of the drugs and the circumstances surrounding the missing firearm.