Photo via Facebook/ DSI กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand is reaching out to a foreign national, likely French, believed to have crucial information about the 18-year-old unsolved murder of Japanese tourist Tomoko Kawashita in Sukhothai.

 

In 2007, Kawashita, then 27, was discovered lifeless at Saphan Hin Temple, having suffered a fatal throat wound. Her belongings were missing, adding complexity to the case. Initially, suspicions fell on a Japanese acquaintance who swiftly left Thailand, refusing cooperation and DNA testing.

 

Efforts to identify the murderer included DNA sampling from 379 local men, yielding no matches. Forensic analysis suggested the suspect was foreign, prompting the DSI to intervene and announce a 2 million baht reward for leads.

 

Recently, the DSI pinpointed a European tourist, likely French, who might shed light on the crime. Investigators urge him to step forward, offering eligibility for the reward if his information proves pivotal.

 

This individual was last seen in 2007, aged 35-40, making him currently around 53-58. His presence at the crime scene solidifies the need for his testimony. Described as a European-looking man in a black outfit, he rented a motorcycle near the site, possibly travelling with a girlfriend described as European with distinctive blonde hair.

 

He and his partner stayed briefly in Sukhothai before moving to Chiang Mai. Authorities stress the importance of contacting them with any information regarding the man’s identity or location.

 

The DSI’s appeal underscores their commitment to resolve the long-standing case, hoping for a breakthrough that can finally bring justice and closure to Kawashita’s family. Those with pertinent information are urged to contact Suwapit Manopas at the DSI through the provided communication channels.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-24

 

 

Excellent sketch who ever did it

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Excellent sketch who ever did it

He may not appreciate it.

I love they are still attempting to solve the case, but what are the chances he sees this, as I guess it's not going to be shared in France, if he is indeed french or even remembers anything from 18 years ago unless you actually saw the murder, not just were at the temple that day, if they know his movements (presuming TM30) they know his name and passport number right, so then contact the embassy.

1 hour ago, ryandb said:

I love they are still attempting to solve the case, but what are the chances he sees this, as I guess it's not going to be shared in France, if he is indeed french or even remembers anything from 18 years ago unless you actually saw the murder, not just were at the temple that day, if they know his movements (presuming TM30) they know his name and passport number right, so then contact the embassy.

You think they can find him from a photo and old tm30 forms?   

 

Not sure what you think these tm30 forms do, track every tourist, youve seen too many James bond movies 😁 

 

In a side note:

Wouldnt they be better off going after the "guilty" person who ran away!?!  Who they do know and his name.  

1 hour ago, thjames007 said:

You think they can find him from a photo and old tm30 forms?   

 

Not sure what you think these tm30 forms do, track every tourist, youve seen too many James bond movies 😁 

 

In a side note:

Wouldnt they be better off going after the "guilty" person who ran away!?!  Who they do know and his name.  

Literally in the article "He and his partner stayed briefly in Sukhothai before moving to Chiang Mai."

 

How would they know this if they didn't know the guy? Which I why I presume they had his hotel stays registered.

Efforts to identify the murderer included DNA sampling from 379 local men, yielding no matches. 

 

Need to submit the DNA to genealogy.com or another commercial genealogy tracker.  (Edit:  Or all of them...)  It may not provide an exact match, but it could eliminate a bunch of suspects.  And it could identify his family tree, from whom they can figure out which member was in Thailand that day.

 

He was at crime scene ??? Did they not interview him then ? Lol the photo fit matches every farang going !! 

 

Not a snowballs chance in hell. 

They are really getting very desperate.

After Tomoko's murder Japanese tourists almost quit coming to Sukkothai. It was a critical tourist issue, besides a murder, and got more attention than most. Still nothing or no one was ever really linked to the murder, (there were rumors, of which we cannot mention here) Tomoko's parents, who seem to have some push in Japan have kept demanding answers, and the Japanese government keeps the pressure on. 

In 2019, Justice minister Somsak Thepsutin told the Japanese police & embassy officials (& press) that the suspected murderer had died in 2010, likely poisoned. His name was not given. However that theory is gone, discarded, tossed, with no explanation as to why. Now a mystery Frenchmen, the holder of "crucial information" is put in the crosshairs of the Thai dragnet.  

Back in 2019, the DNA sample had markers of an East Asian man.  Nothing said about that DNA now, instead a mystery Frenchmen has surfaced, 18 years after the crime, he may break the case.

Or not.     


 

On 6/25/2025 at 2:54 PM, Dcheech said:

They are really getting very desperate.

After Tomoko's murder Japanese tourists almost quit coming to Sukkothai. It was a critical tourist issue, besides a murder, and got more attention than most. Still nothing or no one was ever really linked to the murder, (there were rumors, of which we cannot mention here) Tomoko's parents, who seem to have some push in Japan have kept demanding answers, and the Japanese government keeps the pressure on. 

In 2019, Justice minister Somsak Thepsutin told the Japanese police & embassy officials (& press) that the suspected murderer had died in 2010, likely poisoned. His name was not given. However that theory is gone, discarded, tossed, with no explanation as to why. Now a mystery Frenchmen, the holder of "crucial information" is put in the crosshairs of the Thai dragnet.  

Back in 2019, the DNA sample had markers of an East Asian man.  Nothing said about that DNA now, instead a mystery Frenchmen has surfaced, 18 years after the crime, he may break the case.

Or not.     


 

"(there were rumors, of which we cannot mention here)"  Why the hell not?  Jesus!! this isn't the New York Times it's a forum on Asean now.   In other words..  there wasn't any rumours.  The only suspect was the Japanese man who done a bunk but that isn't a rumour thats a fact.