CRIME
Head of foreigner found hanging from city bridge
- Published: 23/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The head of a foreigner has been found dangling from the railing of the Rama VIII bridge in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.
The head of a Western man in his 40s hangs from the Rama VIII bridge early yesterday afternoon. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Pol Lt-Col Atcharat Hemthanon, of Bowon Mongkhon police station, said the head was found hanging 5 metres below the bridge early yesterday afternoon.
Police found a message written in English saying, "I want it but I didn't get what I want," and, "I came here to see you".
Pol Lt-Col Atcharat said he received a call about the head about 2pm.
He went to the scene with Pol Col Chawalit Prasopsin, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 7, a medical specialist from Siriraj Hospital, a team from the Scientific Crime Detection Division and rescue volunteers from Por Tek Tung Foundation. The specialist from Siriraj said the head was probably severed with a sharp object, and belonged to a Western man in his 40s.
He estimated the man was killed about eight hours before the examination.
A Puma-brand white polyester bag was also found attached to the rope used to hang the head from the bridge.
Pol Col Chawalit said police were searching for the man's body.
Investigators do not believe he took his own life.
Police investigators will ask for video footage from two surveillance cameras installed on Rama VIII bridge, and question any witnesses who appear in the footage, Pol Col Chawalit said.
"Right now, police want to identify the dead man," he said.
If investigators could contact the man's relatives, they might be able to find out the cause of death, he said.
Bowon Mongkhon police have asked police in the nearby Chana Songkhram area, which is popular with foreign tourists, whether anyone who fits the man's description has been reported missing.
