No sign of foul play in Russian tourist's death on Koh Phangan

SURAT THANI: There were no indications of foul play in the death of a Russian tourist missing for four weeks whose body was found on Koh Phangan on Wednesday, police said.

On Wednesday, the still-clothed skeleton of a man was found by villagers clearing land for planting on Khao Raet mountain near Moo 4 village in tambon Koh Phangan.

The remains were believed to be Nikita Grigoryev, 30, a Russian national, who disappeared on Sept 14. His friends filed a police complaint and promised a 35,000 baht reward for whoever found him.

Pol Col Panya Niratimanond, Koh Phangan police chief, said the skeleton was complete, with no broken  bones, and dressed in an orange singlet and plaid shorts, the same clothes Grigoryev was wearing when last seen alive.

Near the body, police found a strap bag belonging to Grigoryev and containing a wallet with some cash, a passport, pictures and a mobile phone charger.

There were no signs suggesting he had been murdered, he said.

Pol Col Panya said the bones were being examined by forensic officials to confirm his identity and establish the cause of death.

The Russian embassy had been informed, he said.

Pol Col Panya said Grigoryev and friends arrived on Koh Phangan from Phuket on Sept 10 for the Full Moon Party. On Sept 14, he went to Koh Phangan Hospital for a check-up, complaining he had been sleepless for several nights.

The nurses put him on a bed to wait for a doctor. When the doctor showed up, Grigoryev had disappeared. His friends reported his disappearance. Police looked for him, but he could not be found.

There was no record of him leaving the island, Pol Col Panya said.