A man who disappeared after fleeing into dense marshland following an alleged theft at a convenience store was found dead, showing signs of reptile bites. Family members, who had been searching for him since his disappearance, discovered his body after three days.

 

At around 17.00 on November 11, Deputy Police Lieutenant Narathip Sutont of the Bang Pa-in Police Station in Ayutthaya received a report of a deceased man found in a marshy field behind Sinthiwa Thani Village in Sam Ruean Subdistrict. Officers from Ayutthaya Rescue Foundation, along with other rescue personnel, arrived promptly to investigate the scene.

 

The area, a large marsh surrounded by reeds up to four metres high, was filled with a strong odour of decay. Inside, authorities discovered the body of a man lying face down. He was identified as Kanathip Jayapokuan, 44, by his distinctive tattoos. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt rolled up to expose his back and showed signs of being bitten by reptiles. Parts of his body, including his right arm and parts of his legs, had been gnawed down to the bone.

 

Alongside the body, a large monitor lizard was seen lurking nearby, drawn by the scent of the remains. Authorities struggled to retrieve the body due to poor lighting and the thick mud, which complicated their efforts.

 

Inside the man's jacket, authorities found a selection of convenience store items, including a can of instant coffee, a packet of pickled fish, marinated pork, and two bags of peanuts. These items were reportedly stolen from a local convenience store, where Kanathip was seen before his disappearance.

 

Sathorn Jayapokuan, 47, the man's older brother and the first to locate the body, had been looking for him since the evening of November 8. Witnesses reported seeing Kanathip fleeing over a fence and disappearing into the dense marshland behind Sinthiwa Thani Village on November 8 after an alleged theft. Despite extensive search efforts, including the use of drones, authorities and family members had been unable to locate him.

 

Namthip Khudpin, a 37-year-old friend, shared that she had been in contact with Kanathip on November 8. They last exchanged messages around 18.00 but communication abruptly ceased, leading her to believe he might have been detained. Initially, she and others thought he might be stranded with a broken-down vehicle and began searching for him in the areas he frequented.

 

Rescue team member Panya Chumanee from Ayutthaya Rescue Foundation noted that Kanathip likely became lost or exhausted while evading authorities in the challenging marsh terrain. His body was reportedly dragged and partially consumed by monitor lizards and other wildlife.

 

The police have transferred the body to the Institute of Forensic Science in Pathum Thani for a detailed autopsy.

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-11-12

 

 

Karma can be rough.

Seems the Monitor wanted to snap up a bargain from the Store.