Former Thai Tennis Coach Found Dead With Knife at Bedside
A 64-year-old former Thai tennis coach was found dead in a locked bedroom in Chon Buri with a knife beside him on July 26; police are investigating whether a former student with whom he'd had recent conflicts was involved.
Police launched an investigation after receiving a report on July 26, 2025, at 3 p.m. about a man found wounded and dead inside a rental home in Nong Prueai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Officers from Nong Prueai Police Station, led by Deputy Inspector Siriporn Kongpetchsakdi, rushed to the scene with additional investigators and rescue workers from the Swang Buriprom Foundation relief unit in Pattaya.
The incident occurred at a single-story detached house located behind a large sports club and tennis court. Inside the bedroom, police found the body of a 64-year-old man covered with a blanket. The deceased was a senior tennis player and beach tennis representative of Thailand's national team, as well as a prominent manager and coach at a well-known tennis facility in Pattaya. He had wounds on his left elbow, and a kitchen knife approximately one foot long was found on the head of the bed.
Family members explained that they had lost contact with the victim and asked the tennis facility staff to check on him. They found the bedroom door locked from inside and had to use a spare key to enter. The deceased's brother disclosed that two days before his death, the victim had called expressing concern about a former student and tennis player who had separated from him. According to the brother, the student had recently displayed aggressive and disobedient behavior, despite the victim having raised and trained him well. It remains unclear whether the student is connected to the death.
Police have sent the body for autopsy and are investigating whether the former student was involved in the incident to determine if criminal charges should be filed.
