Tourist Found Dead With Bullet Wound to head in Phatthalung

A Thai tourist identified as Yuttana, also known as Kim, aged 29, has been found dead in a forest area above the Khlong Hua Chang reservoir in Tamot district, Phatthalung, after being missing for seven days. His body was recovered on 10 April 2026 at around 23:30 by rescue teams who had been searching the remote area. A bullet was later found lodged inside his skull during initial examination at the scene.

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Emergency services from the Khao Hua Chang municipal rescue unit were alerted at around 16:00 on 10 April 2026 after a local villager reported finding a man in distress in the forest. The area is difficult to access, requiring travel by boat for around 2 km followed by a further 2 km on foot through dense terrain. When rescue teams arrived, the man had already died, before they reached him, despite reports that he had still been conscious when first discovered.

The victim had reportedly entered the forest with three friends but became separated during the trip. He was first found near a stream above the reservoir by a local hunter, Boonterm, aged 56, who said the man was still able to speak and identified himself as Kim from Ban Na in Srinakharin district. He had been reported missing for seven days before being located in the remote area.

Police and forensic officers, led by investigators from Tamot Police Station, examined the scene and noted multiple abrasions on the body, a deep head wound of around 3 cm on the right side of the skull and the presence of a bullet lodged in the cranium. Only 20 baht in cash was reportedly found with the deceased. Officers also noted the victim had a prior record involving firearms-related offences.

The body was sent for a full post-mortem examination at Songklanagarind Hospital in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, to confirm the exact cause of death. Investigators are continuing to establish how the group became separated and the circumstances leading to the fatal injury. The victim’s father has also raised questions about his son’s activities and companions prior him being found.

Khaosod reported that police said they will continue questioning witnesses and reviewing evidence from the forest area to reconstruct the timeline of events and confirm how the bullet wound occurred.

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 13 Apr 2026