A GERMAN and his Thai wife have committed suicide at their residence in Nakhon Ratchasima,leaving Bt200,000 (US$6,150) cash thata suicide note said should be spent for their funeral.

The dead couple’s bodies were discovered after neighbors reported to the local police that a foul odor emanated from the couple’s home. They could have been dead for about a week as their bodies were found swollen with lymph flowing out of them, according to the authorities.

The wife, Suphap Rese, 60, was lying dead on the couch in front of a television set in the living room. Her head was shot with a .38-cal. revolver. Gunter Rese, 73, was found dead on the floor. His right temple was shot also with the same gun, which was lying next to his body. The gun had two spent bullet cases and another three cartridges.

No traces of intrusion were found as all doors and windows were perfectly sealed. However, three notes were discovered at a door inside the house,  a photo frame inside the living room, and at a room wall.

All were signed by both husband and wife in English although they carried the same message in Thai, which said that “the land, the house, and all furnishings including other items and belongings should be kept at the exact same place without being touched for 10 years.”

The message also mentioned the name of a temple where the couples desired their bodies to be buried in. It said no guest should be invited to participate in the burial ceremony.

It also said that a copy of the note should be sent to the German Embassy in Bangkok.

According to the dead couple’s neighbors, they were married and lived together for over 10 years. They always went to places together and had never been seen fighting. They were also kind and loved by their neighbors, who said the couple had donated more than Bt600,000 to a local  temple

Police, however, were not discounting foul play in connection with the couple’s death, as they were searching for relatives for questioning.

The suicide is believed to have been caused by their stressful condition in that they had no offspring to care for them. The bodies were takento a local hospital for autopsy.