Body of Missing Austrian Found in Dry Canal After 10 Days, Police Suspect Possible Foul Play

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The body of a 77-year-old Austrian man was discovered in a dry canal in Wang Thong district, Phitsanulok, ten days after he was reported missing. While his family has accepted the death, police remain suspicious and are investigating the circumstances.

 

At 14:00 on March 31, officers from Wang Thong Police Station were alerted to the discovery of a body in a dry canal amid rice fields near Ban Khlong Ped Nuea, Moo 4, Wang Phikun Subdistrict.

 

 

The canal, approximately four metres deep, was overgrown with thick vegetation. The deceased, a foreign male, was found lying on his back in an advanced state of decomposition. He was wearing black knee-high socks and black shorts. Nearby, police found a pair of sandals and a water bottle.

 

Investigators believed the body to be that of the Austrian man, name not disclosed, who had been missing since March 20. His 65-year-old Thai wife, Mrs. Ratchanee, was brought to the scene, where she identified the body as her husband.

 

Mrs. Ratchanee stated that she and her relatives had been searching for her husband for 11 days and were relieved to have finally found him. She expressed no suspicion regarding his death and planned to proceed with funeral rites.

 

However, Pol Col Phanuwat Phujomphat, chief of Wang Thong Police Station, said investigators were unconvinced. He noted that the man had difficulty walking, even on normal roads, making it unlikely he could have travelled to the remote and rugged terrain where he was found. The area was strewn with fallen branches and thick grass, raising further questions.

 

Although the family has not raised concerns, police will continue investigating to determine whether foul play was involved. Authorities have pledged to pursue all leads and follow legal procedures to ensure a thorough resolution of the case.

 

-- 2025-04-01

 

[dcsw53]

Did he make a will and was she the beneficiary ?
If so Col P , keep digging.

 

[shackleton]

Check his bank account and assets 🤑

[Scouse123]

Sounds like she wants him burnt ASAP.

 

I wonder why?

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Sounds like she wants him burnt ASAP.

 

I wonder why?

 

The smell?

 

found lying on his back in an advanced state of decomposition.

[TheFishman1]

Nobody thinks his wife was involved due to him having a lot of money in the bank do they TIT

[Grumpy one]

Found wearing black shorts and black knee length socks, with sandals nearby

Sounds like the fashion police did him in

[OneManShow]

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Although the family has not raised concerns, police will continue investigating

😮🤔🤨

[Scouse123]

4 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

The smell?

 

found lying on his back in an advanced state of decomposition.

 

Well, he isn't parked in her living room, is he?

[Scouse123]

12 hours ago, dcsw53 said:

Did he make a will and was she the beneficiary ?
If so Col P , keep digging.

 

 

Don't need to dig, it was a dry ditch.

[CallumWK]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

Nobody thinks his wife was involved due to him having a lot of money in the bank do they TIT

 

You know how much he had in the bank?

 

[MalcolmB]

11 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Well, he isn't parked in her living room, is he?

Where do you think he is?

common procedure in Phitsonaluk is to have the body in a coffin at home until the burning ceremony at the “maen”.

[Scouse123]

12 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Where do you think he is?

common procedure in Phitsonaluk is to have the body in a coffin at home until the burning ceremony at the “maen”.

 

They can't do that when he's already decomposed, and the Police are not convinced it's a natural death.

 

And in Kalasin they are kept in the hospital until just before the ceremony,

 

Nobody wants dead bodies in the house with all the ghosts and superstition.

[save the frogs]

On 3/31/2025 at 8:42 PM, dcsw53 said:

Did he make a will and was she the beneficiary ?
If so Col P , keep digging.

 

it's always assumed the thai wife turned evil and had him whacked.

 

could be a number of different reasons. maybe he was involved in shady deals. 

[newnative]

Glad at least the police want to know what happened to him.  Suspicious the family could care less.