Former lawyer found dead at home in Nakhon Si Thammarat

A former lawyer tragically died in his luxurious home in the heart of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The police are intensively investigating the cause and conducting a thorough autopsy to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

Police Major Thanatorn Phanchoo, investigator at the Nakhon Si Thammarat City Police Station, received a report of a death at a residence in Khlang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, at 7am today. Accompanied by an investigation team, forensic officers, an on-duty doctor from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, and rescue volunteers from Pracharuamjai Foundation, they promptly arrived at the scene.

The deceased, identified as Chongkon, a 66 year old former prominent lawyer in Nakhon Si Thammarat, was found sitting in a wooden chair inside his luxury home. He had a gunshot wound from a 9mm firearm, which entered his right temple and exited through the left. A 9mm gun was found nearby and taken as evidence by the police.

Investigations revealed that Chongkon lived with his wife, while their only child worked in Bangkok. Chongkon had been suffering from terminal cancer, which had taken a severe toll on his physical and mental health.

On the day of the incident, Chongkon had woken up and sat in the wooden chair, instructing his wife to go to the market. While his wife was preparing to leave, she heard a single gunshot. Rushing to the scene, she found him already dead, a source close to the family mentioned.

“He had been under a lot of stress due to his illness.”

Cancer battle

Chongkon was well-regarded in his community and had many friends. He often hosted gatherings, including a caged bird arena beside his home where friends would meet. The initial assumption by authorities suggests that his ongoing battle with cancer and the stress associated with it might have driven him to take his own life.

Police are conducting a detailed autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death, as it was considered unnatural. The body will be handed over to the family for traditional funeral rites once the investigation is complete, reported KhaoSod.

The investigation team continues to gather more information and will provide updates as new details emerge.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.

By Nattapong Westwood

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod