KRABI, THAILAND – A 70-year-old palm plantation owner has been found dead in a forest patch by the roadside. Police are still searching for the suspect and a second man.
Body lay by the roadside
In Krabi, locals found a body yesterday in a forest patch by the roadside. The discovery site is in the Khao-Panom district, about 300 meters from the main road.
Police arrived and secured the area in the Khlong-Phraya wildlife sanctuary. After the find, it was clear that a brutal death had occurred.
Family identifies Sompong
Family members later came to the crime scene. They identified the deceased as Sompong, the 70-year-old owner of a palm plantation and temple mortician.
A tattoo on his left ankle helped with identification. Sompong had been missing since April 30.
House showed signs of violence
Relatives first went to his house and found scattered objects. There they also discovered bloodstains.
They also noticed his sidecar motorcycle was missing. The vehicle had also disappeared after Sompong last sold palm products.
Suspect already identified
The relatives suspect a former employee. He is about 35 years old and recently moved from the Waeng district in Narathiwat.
According to their account, he wanted to rob and kill Sompong. He had previously asked Sompong for money and received 500 baht.
Police hunt two men
Police found the sidecar motorcycle 30 kilometers from the location of the body. They also checked surveillance cameras along the route.
Thereby they identified Sompong’s employee, who was traveling with an unknown man. The last signal from Sompong’s phone came from Narathiwat.
Investigation continues
The loss is hard for the family. They had already suspected that Sompong had been in danger after selling his palm products.