Tattoo Artist Found Dead on Jomtien Beach

A 46-year-old tattoo artist was found dead on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on Monday, 6 July, with police investigating whether the death was linked to gambling debts, foul play or another cause. Officers are also searching for a man seen with the victim shortly before his death after CCTV footage showed him leaving on the victim’s motorcycle.

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Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanoknan Suksee, an investigator at Pattaya Police Station’s Dongtan Curve substation, responded after members of the public reported a body on Jomtien Beach near Soi Jomtien 10 in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. Forensic officers and rescue workers attended the scene.

The deceased, identified only as Thai national, Mr Aod, 46, from Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province, worked as a tattoo artist. He was found lying on his back on the sand without a shirt, wearing black jeans. Investigators recovered a broken Buddhist amulet necklace near his right hand, his mobile phone, a pair of sandals placed about two metres apart approximately five metres away, and his red T-shirt nearby. All items were retained as evidence.

A close friend, 46-year-old Saman, told police he believed the death was a murder rather than the result of illness or suicide. He said Mr Aod had visited him on 5 July, saying he owed 2,500 baht from gambling, believed to involve cockfighting and could not repay the debt on time.

According to Saman, Mr Aod told him: “If I have no money to give them, I’ll just let them kill me.” Saman said he gave his friend 100 baht before later learning of his death. He also claimed he saw a heavy-set man riding away from the scene on the victim’s white Honda Click motorcycle.

CCTV reviewed by reporters showed a heavy-set, shirtless man arriving at 4.34am on the victim’s white Honda Click before walking onto the beach with Mr Aod. At 4.48am, the victim was seen collapsing and convulsing on the sand while the other man stood nearby without attempting to help or contact emergency services.

At about 5.23am, Mr Aod appeared to stop moving and was believed to have died. The man then walked back from the beach, rode the victim’s motorcycle to speak with a group of ladyboys about 20 metres away, and finally left the area at 6.27am on the same motorcycle.

Naewna reported that police have not ruled out any line of inquiry, including murder, disputes linked to illegal activities or poisoning. The body has been sent to the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for a detailed post-mortem examination, while investigators are working to identify and question the heavy-set man, the last known person seen with the victim.

Picture courtesy of Naewna

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 6 July 2026

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