Malaysian Tourist Found Dead in Betong Hotel Room

Picture courtesy of NBT.

A 67-year-old Malaysian tourist was found dead in his hotel room in the southern Thai town of Betong, Yala, prompting a police investigation into the cause of death, which remains unclear.

The incident occurred on the morning of 26 May. Police were alerted to the discovery of a body at a hotel in the town centre and swiftly responded. Pol Sub Lt Jakarin Laksana, an investigator from Betong Police Station, led the team to the scene, accompanied by senior officers, detectives, medical personnel, and rescue volunteers from the Sawang Betong Dhammasathan Foundation.

The deceased, identified as Mr. Kannuva Naidu Poleach, was found lying face-down on the floor of Room 711 on the seventh floor of the hotel. Officers thoroughly examined the room and collected evidence before transferring the body to Betong Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

According to a friend of the deceased, Mr. Kannuva had travelled to Betong as part of a group of 30 Malaysian tourists who arrived by bus on 24 May. Eleven of them, including the deceased, were staying at the same hotel, while the rest were staying elsewhere. On the night before his death, five members of the group had gathered in one room to drink beer. Mr. Kannuva later went to sleep in a friend’s room directly opposite his own and never returned to his assigned room, which was located three doors away.

The following morning, when friends went to wake him for their return journey, they found him unresponsive and alerted hotel staff.

Police have since raised concerns over inconsistencies in the statements provided by the deceased’s friends. Officers noted that some individuals appeared confused, possibly due to lingering intoxication or shock and one line of inquiry is the possible involvement of illegal drugs. A suspicious white powder was found in the room, which has been sent for analysis.

One friend told police that Mr. Kannuva suffered from multiple health conditions but refused to take his medication, preferring instead to drink beer.

The group of friends who had been drinking with the deceased were taken in for questioning at Betong Police Station as authorities continue to investigate the true cause of death. Police have stated that no conclusion will be drawn until autopsy results and forensic analysis of the white substance are complete.

  Adapted by Asean Now from NBT 2025-05-27.