AYUTTHAYA — Police are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose body was discovered floating in the Raphiphat canal in Phachi district on Tuesday. Investigators are focusing their inquiries on nearby migrant worker communities.
The deceased is believed to be between 40 and 60 years old, with grey hair and standing approximately 160 to 170 centimetres tall. His body was found with a floral-patterned cloth wrapped around his torso and his hands tied together.
An initial examination showed no visible signs of trauma. Authorities estimate the body had been in the water for six to ten hours before being found.
The discovery was reported by a volunteer with the Ayutthaya Ruamjai rescue association, who saw the body drifting along the canal. Local residents said they did not recognize the man.
The Raphiphat canal flows through several districts in Ayutthaya and into neighbouring Saraburi province. Police have been coordinating with local officials across these areas to check for missing persons. So far, no missing person reports match the victim’s description.
Investigators are focusing on construction camps and migrant worker housing along the canal. Police believe the man may have been an undocumented migrant worker.
Authorities noted the floral cloth, the man’s black sports shorts, and the condition of his fingernails and toenails suggest he was a laborer. Preliminary findings point toward non-violent death, but officials believe the body may have been hastily wrapped and disposed of to avoid legal complications.
Despite the absence of visible injuries, police have not ruled out foul play. They are awaiting a full autopsy from the Institute of Forensic Science in Pathum Thani to determine the exact cause of death and possibly confirm the man’s identity.
