Police in Chonburi are hunting a Chinese man suspected of abducting a Chinese woman who was later found dead nearly 240 kilometres away in a canal in Ratchaburi province. The case emerged after a disturbing CCTV clip showed the suspect dragging the unconscious woman from a Pattaya pool villa and forcing her into a car before driving towards Bangkok.
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The victim, identified as Ms Ji Zhengjiao, 34, was last seen on 21 February 2026 at a pool villa in Soi Chaiyaphruek. According to investigators, she managed to send a brief message saying “Help me” at 06:37 that morning.
Concern grew after a friend, Mr Jak, 28, reported the message to police at Nong Prue Police Station on 23 February at 19:58 when he could no longer contact her. He then alerted her boyfriend in China, Mr Zhang, 31, who subsequently travelled to Thailand to file a missing person report and ask authorities to help locate her.
Police launched an investigation and searched the last known location, the pool villa in Pattaya. CCTV footage from the property showed a Chinese man carrying and dragging Ms Ji, who appeared unconscious, along a walkway.
The footage shows the man holding her from behind and pulling her across the ground. At one point both collapsed on the ground and her phone fell before the man eventually lifted her into a BMW car and drove away in the direction of Bangkok.
Investigators traced the vehicle through surveillance cameras and found the registered owner claimed a Chinese friend had borrowed the car. The owner said the vehicle was taken for a day before being returned and parked again.
Meanwhile, a body discovered earlier on 25 February at around 13:00 in a canal beside mango and coconut plantations in Moo 10, Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi province, was initially unidentified. The body was found floating in the water, with the upper body unclothed and wearing only white shorts.
Forensic examination estimated the woman had been dead for about four days. Authorities reported no visible signs of assault or external injuries on the body.
On the evening of 12 March, Mr Zhang Xiaotian provided a statement to Nong Prue police after DNA and identity checks confirmed the body was Ms Ji. Investigators said the canal where she was found is approximately 238 kilometres from the Pattaya villa where she was last seen.
The owner of the pool villa declined to allow media filming at the property but said all evidence had already been handed to police. The owner also said staff had fully cooperated with investigators and had initially hoped the woman would still be alive before learning of her death.
Police said they are now gathering further evidence to request an arrest warrant for the Chinese suspect. Authorities have not yet released the man’s identity as the investigation continues.
SiamNews reported that records show Ms Ji had travelled in and out of Thailand five times, with her most recent entry recorded on 9 December 2025. Investigators say further developments will be announced once additional evidence has been secured.
Pictures courtesy of SiamNews
Original story
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Siamnews 13 Mar 2026