German Tourists Found Dead in Southern Thailand With Plastic Bag Taped to His Head

KRABI – Police in Southern Thailand have reported the questionable death of a 40-year-old German tourist who was found dead in a room with a plastic bag tied over his head.

Pol Capt Sarawut Kittiruangrayab, deputy investigation chief at Ao Nang police station said police were called to a local resort after staff found the German man dead on his bed with his head covered by a green plastic bag affixed to his neck with duct tape.

Police said there was no sign of bruising on the man’s body, and no traces of a struggle. His belongings, including his notebook computer, his passport, credit cards and cash, remained untouched. Two glasses of water were found on a desk about two meters from the bed. A similar plastic bag was found on the floor.

Hotel staff told police that the tourist had booked the room from June 7 to June 16. He was traveling alone and appeared to be a typical tourist.

He was last seen on Sunday morning when he ordered room service breakfast. After he was not seen for two days, a hotel staff member opened the door and found his body, said police.

They believed he had died one or two days earlier.

Pol Col Chavalit Phetsripia, chief of Ao Nang police, said investigators suspect the man committed suicide. A receipt for the purchase of duct tape was found inside the room, and officers were checking where the item was purchased and examining footage from hotel surveillance cameras to find possible clues, Thai media reported.

The body was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute for a post-mortem examination.

Authorities have said they were notifying the German the Embassy in Bangkok who would then contact the man’s relatives.