Frenchman kills self “over debts’

PHUKET: French resident Laurent Huppe was found dead in his house in Ao Yon on Wednesday. Police say they believe he committed suicide, possibly because of heavy debt.

Mr Huppe’s landlord, Donraman Srikwan, noticed a bad smell when he visited Mr Huppe’s two-story wooden home on the Baan Borrea-Khao Khad Rd in Wichit district, and found the bedroom door locked. He called the police.

Pol Maj Yongyuth Kongmalai of Phuket City Police Station, told the Gazette that police opened the bedroom door and found Mr Huppe, 65, hanging from a beam.

The deceased, who was dressed in a northern Thai-style black mohom outfit, had apparently been dead for at least two days.

A note was discovered inside his room taped to a green box with instructions that it was to be opened only by “my friend Roggo” or one other person, an Immigration officer, and giving phone numbers for both.

Maj Yongyuth said he believed debt was the cause of the suicide. “We talked to Mr Roggo. He explained that Mr Huppe was his friend and had borrowed 100,000 baht from him. However, he had not asked for the money to be returned because they were close friends.”

Mr Roggo told the Gazette that the green box contained another note, requesting his help in disposing of his remains and his belongings. “I knew he was in debt,” he added.

The French Consulate has contacted Mr Huppe’s family in France. The body is presently at Vachira Phuket Hospital awaiting collection.