25-1-2024 (BANGKOK) In a chilling discovery on the picturesque tourist island of Koh Samui, a 32-year-old Ukrainian man was found hanged with both hands tied behind his back at a durian plantation. The eerie scene unfolded at the Tha Sok mountain in village Moo 3, tambon Maret, prompting a response from police, forensic officials, a doctor, and rescue workers on Wednesday night.
The challenging terrain required a four-wheel-drive pickup truck to transport the team to the remote plantation site. The lifeless body, clad only in shorts, was suspended from a durian tree branch with a green nylon rope around the neck. A red T-shirt covered the face, and the hands were bound behind the back with a cable tie. Wearing black sports shoes, the man was discovered near a fallen chair, and the decomposition process had begun, emanating a foul odour.
The investigation revealed personal belongings, including a wallet with Thai currency, a Ukrainian passport, a Thai driving license, black glasses, a watch, and a packet of painkillers. The deceased’s identity remains undisclosed pending notification of relatives.
Local residents informed the police that the isolated area was rarely frequented by outsiders, except for durian growers and plantation workers. Workers, detecting a strong odour, traced it to the grim scene and promptly alerted the authorities.
Preliminary findings indicate that the Ukrainian man had been residing in a tambon Maret hotel, known for hosting groups of Ukrainian tourists. A long-term resident of Samui, he had reportedly battled depression. Surveillance footage captured the man in a red T-shirt hiring a taxi to transport him to the foothills of Tha Sok mountain, ultimately leading to the desolate plantation where the tragic incident occurred.
