Phuket Officer’s Body Found on Phuket Beach

The body of a missing police officer was found washed ashore at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket on Sunday morning, two days after he disappeared in rough seas. Police believe the deceased is Pol Capt Thanphatphop, also known as “Captain Pond”, aged 35, a deputy inspector at Thaimuang Police Station in Phang Nga.

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The body was discovered at about 6.30am on 17 May 2026 near the Sala Por Ta La Toh shrine in Moo 4, Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district. Officers from Sakhu Police Station were alerted by local residents after waves carried the body onto the beach.

Police said the deceased was a middle aged Thai man with dark reddish skin, wearing only black underwear. The body showed signs of bloating and abrasions caused by being repeatedly struck by waves and dragged across sand and rocks in the sea. Initial examinations indicated the man had died around two days earlier.

The incident followed reports on 15 May 2026 at about 6.30pm that a man had entered the sea at Nai Thon Beach despite dangerous red flag conditions. Strong winds and waves exceeding two metres reportedly swept him away from shore while lifeguards attempted a rescue.

Lifeguards at the beach were unable to reach the man because of the severe currents and rough surf. A saloon car with Chiang Rai registration plates, believed to belong to the missing man, was later found abandoned nearby and taken for inspection by authorities.

Search operations began immediately after the disappearance, with officers and rescue workers combing the surrounding coastline. However, worsening weather conditions forced officials to suspend water searches on the evening of 15 May.

On 16 May, authorities established a search coordination centre at Nai Thon Beach. Due to continued high waves and dangerous sea conditions, teams focused their efforts on searching rocks and stretches of shoreline before ending operations at about 4pm, due to conditions.

Amarin reported that the body has been transferred by Kusoldharm Phuket rescue workers to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a full post-mortem examination. Police are coordinating with relatives to formally confirm the identity through personal identification procedures before releasing the body for religious rites.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 18 May 2026