Thai foreign ministry steps in after intern found dead in Japan

The Thai foreign minister has instructed the Thai embassy in Japan to investigate the mysterious death of a Thai intern in Hiroshima.

Maris Sangiampongsa said today he was briefed about the case of 24-year-old Karonpat, who had been working as an intern on a three-year project in Hiroshima.

Karonpat, who was due to complete his internship and return to Thailand in April, went missing on December 21 after attending a New Year party with colleagues at a Thai restaurant about 50km from his company.

During the gathering, Karonpat sent photos via Line and livestreamed to his relatives in Thailand for most of the time.

However, his friends, girlfriend, and relatives lost contact with him after the event.

His family reported his disappearance to the project office, which then alerted the police. They also checked local hospitals but were unable to find him.

Restaurant staff denied any knowledge of his whereabouts, claiming they had many customers coming and going that night.

On January 23, Karonpat’s body was discovered on the stairs of the building where the Thai restaurant is located.

The case gained attention after one of Karonpat’s aunts sought help from the Thai foreign ministry and the prime minister, urging them to push for a thorough investigation.

She believes her nephew was murdered and filed a complaint with the Interior Ministry’s Damrongdhama Centre in Udon Thani.

The family has since been informed that a Thai consul in Japan has contacted local police, and an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.