October 8, 2025Oct 8 Pictures courtesy of Khaosod A 20-year-old veterinary student in Thailand has appealed for help from the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women after her mother was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a Thai-owned massage spa in Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The death has prompted coordination between Thai and Japanese authorities as the family seeks answers and assistance in repatriating the body. Kanyawee “Mint” Nanongthum reported that her mother, Nongnaphat “Toon,” 47, was discovered naked on a massage bed on 5 October 2025. She was found at the spa where she worked, and her daughter believes foul play may be involved. Mint has requested an investigation and financial support to bring her mother’s body home to Thailand. The student said she last spoke to her mother via video call at 23:00 on 4 October. During that call, Nongnaphat described being choked by a Japanese customer the previous day, reportedly someone “mentally unstable.” She told her daughter she had threatened to call police, after which the man let her go. Following the call, Mint was unable to contact her mother again, as messages went unread. According to Mint, the spa owner initially lied by claiming her mother had left with a man, despite already knowing she was dead. She also alleged that the owner deleted her mother’s photographs from the business’s social media pages and urged her to remove missing person posts to avoid “damaging their business.” Nongnaphat had been working at the spa for about six months, sending money home to support her daughter’s veterinary studies. Mint, who lives with her 73-year-old grandmother, also depends on student loans. “My mother was the pillar of our family,” Mint said. “She wasn’t sick before this. Finding her naked and dead on a massage bed is completely abnormal.” Foundation president Pavena Hongsakul said she has contacted Pol. Col. Suraphan Thaiprasert, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are liaising with Japanese authorities and the Thai embassy to ensure a full investigation and repatriation of the body. The process of bringing the body home is estimated to cost around 200,000 baht. The Foreign Ministry has agreed to provide a loan that Mint would repay, while the foundation is seeking public donations and has pledged to support her education until graduation. Key Takeaways • Thai student seeks investigation into her mother’s suspicious death in Japan. • The Pavena Foundation and Thai authorities are coordinating with Japan. • Repatriation costs are estimated at 200,000 baht, with public donations requested. Related Stories Thai-chef’s-death-in-Cambodia-sparks-diplomatic-dispute More Thai news stories here Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-09
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