PHUKET — Pian Keesin, a former mayor of Patong municipality in Phuket province, was found dead in his house in Muang Phuket district Tuesday morning.
Rescue workers carry the body of Pian Keesin, a former mayor of Patong municipality, from his residence in Muang Phuket district on Tuesday. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
Police found around noon the naked body of Pian, 70, in a bathroom of his house in the Rock Garden Phuket Bypass housing estate.
His body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for initial examination and then to Surat Thani Hospital for a thorough autopsy.
Police said one of Pian's relatives had called his home phone at 10.30am but the call went unanswered. The relative then entered the unlocked house with two drivers and found him dead on the bathroom floor.
The relative said Pian had phoned his wife at about 5.15am and he was believed to have slipped and banged his head on the floor while taking a bath.
Police said that the man had suffered from chronic asthma and been treated at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
Pian was among the 81 suspects in a case involving mafia-styled illicit businesses including influential taxi services on the island.
Pol Maj Gen Pawin Pongsirin, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 8, said on Tuesday the case against the remaining suspects would be filed with local public prosecutors on Wednesday.
About 100 police and military officers raided Pian's house and offices in Phuket in late August.
He was accused of running illicit businesses including mafia taxi gangs, stifling competition, extorting money and dodging taxes.
Athorities also planned to seize his assets for further examination.