Pattaya Police and a Unit of The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation were called to an incident where the body of a foreigner had been found washed up on the beach.
At the scene opposite soi 1 at the north end of Pattaya Beach near the Dusit Thani Resort they found a group of Thais and foreign tourists gathered around the body of 66 year old Mr. Antonio Lardo an Italian national. Mr. Lardo had a large gash to his forehead but appeared to have drowned and the gash was caused by the body washing up on sharp rocks along the shore.
A nearby motorcycle taxi driver Khun Nantawoot aged 26 said that he had observed the man over the previous 3 days. He had seen him laying in front of a nearby convenience store as though he was homeless. He appeared to be in a depressed state and he saw him walking up and down the beach during the day. He was also saw him in the same area about 3 hours prior to the discovery of the body on the Beach.
Further investigations revealed that Mr. Lardo may have been in financial difficulties, had no money to pay for his rent and daily needs. He was probably suffering from depression and with his birthday approaching he decided to take a final swim. The deceased was taken to hospital for a forensic post mortem to be carried out and as is the custom the Italian Embassy in Bangkok have been notified of the death of one of it's nationals.
