Phuket City Police Hunt Expat Murder Suspect

[webfact]

Phuket City Police hunt expat murder suspect

A facial composite of the suspect, thought to be in his mid-thirties.

PHUKET: -- Phuket City Police are asking the public for help in their search for a Caucasian man who is the prime suspect in the murder of 33-year-old Wanphen Pienjai, the bar hostess whose remains were discovered stuffed into a large suitcase in tambon Wichit last week.

Ms Wanphen, a native of Petchaboon province, was an employee of the Sweetheart Bar on Kata Road, behind the Club Med Resort in Kata.

For the previous report, click here

The naked body was discovered on the morning of June 24 at a remote location on Chao Fah Thani Road, about 1.5 kilometers from the junction with Chao Fah West Road.

Two employees of the Sweetheart Bar identified the body as that of Ms Wanphen on June 25.

Staff at the Sweetheart Bar said that on the morning of her disappearance Ms Wanphen left with a man described as a bearded Caucasian foreigner who arrived by motorbike.

They were unable to provide a description of the bike, however.

The man had a friendly conversation with the three hostesses present and then asked if the bar had any 'ladyboy' prostitutes available, she said.

When they answered “no" the man paid the overnight bar fine and left on the motorbike with Ms Wanphen, they said.

Case officer Sien Keawthong confirmed that two of the victim’s friends came to identify the body after seeing news about the murder on TV. They described the man she left the bar with as a Caucasian man about 175-180 cm tall, with an average build, brown beard and mustache. They estimated his age at about 35 years.

Speaking of the victim, one of her colleagues said, “She had been working here for about three months. I heard that she used to have her own bar business. She was a nice lady. She didn’t talk much and didn’t go out often. She mostly just stayed at the bar.”

“We were sure it was her. We recognized her from the ring and the scar on her stomach from an operation [tubal ligation] to prevent pregnancy,” one of the women said.

Another employee told the Gazette she wasn’t paying attention as Ms Wanphen spoke to the man, but said she did remember that he spoke Thai.

“Wanphen asked him get a room near the bar, but the man said he has a house in Phuket Town, so I think he must be an expat,” she said.

Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit told the Gazette yesterday police have questioned seven or eight witnesses already, but still don’t know the name of the suspect.

Police have released a facial composite of the man in hopes that the public can provide clues as to his whereabouts. Possible sightings and anonymous tips can by phoned in by calling 191, he said.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-06-30

[gotlost]

Nasty. No need. RIP

[Boater]

Police have released a facial composite of the man in hopes that the public can provide clues as to his whereabouts. Possible sightings and anonymous tips can by phoned in by calling 191, he said.

so where is the picture? , TV would be the best exposure they would have, esp if he is an expat in Phuket....

[Kan Win]

Here it is.

[asiawatcher]

Would like to see the apprehension and questioning but if the man was after a lady boy straight was not on his agenda anyway? Allai Wah?

[sukhumvitlegend]

I hope they catch the low life

[david555]

Police have released a facial composite of the man in hopes that the public can provide clues as to his whereabouts. Possible sightings and anonymous tips can by phoned in by calling 191, he said.

so where is the picture? , TV would be the best exposure they would have, esp if he is an expat in Phuket....

also the best thing,they should be to make identicall composition picture whiteout beards , because i suppose that is the first thing he would remove to change chance for easy identification

[shiatsuman]

Police have released a facial composite of the man in hopes that the public can provide clues as to his whereabouts. Possible sightings and anonymous tips can by phoned in by calling 191, he said.

so where is the picture? , TV would be the best exposure they would have, esp if he is an expat in Phuket....

also the best thing,they should be to make identicall composition picture whiteout beards , because i suppose that is the first thing he would remove to change chance for easy identification

I agree an artists impression without a beard, also publicising that the police are interested in anyone who has just shaved of a beard. It needs extensive coverage of a local TV news channel.

Checking through immigration , guest houses , and apartments may come up with something, as could sightings via the expat community.

For everyones sakes they need to catch him ASAP

[sirchai]

I hope they catch the low life

My deepest condolence to her family, hope they get this m- <deleted>--er soon. RIP.

Edited July 1, 2010 by sirchai

[webfact]

UPDATE

Phuket police offer 50,000 baht to catch killer

WANTED: The suspect is described as roughly 35 years old, between 175 and 180cm (5’9” to 5’11”) tall, with an average build, brown beard and a mustache.

VICTIM: The body of Petchabun native Wanphen Pienjai was found stuffed into a suitcase in Phuket last week.

PHUKET CITY: -- Phuket Provincial Police are offering a reward of 50,000 baht for information leading to the arrest of the killer of 33-year-old bar hostess Wanphen Pienjai, whose naked body was discovered stuffed into a suitcase in Phuket last week.

The offer follows the release of a sketch of the prime suspect in the investigation, a bearded Caucasian man who was seen with Ms Wanphen before she died.

The suspect is described as roughly 35 years old, between 175 and 180cm (5’9” to 5’11”) tall, with an average build, brown beard and mustache.

Staff at the Sweetheart Bar on Kata Road where Ms Wanphen worked said that on the morning of June 18 the man came to the bar looking to hire a ladyboy prostitute.

After being told there were none for hire, he paid a bar fine and left with Ms Wanphen on his motorbike.

It was the last time she was seen alive.

Her body was discovered on the morning of June 24 at a remote location on Chao Fah Thani Road, about 1.5 kilometers from the junction with Chao Fah West Road.

Police say they are confident the suspect remains on Phuket. Hostesses at the Sweetheart Bar said the man spoke Thai, indicating that he may be a long-term expat.

The case has shocked the island and terrified Phuket’s bargirls, particularly those working at bars on Kata Road. Many are now fearful of leaving their places of work with unfamiliar customers.

Anyone with information regarding the case should call the Phuket Provincial Police on 076-212046.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-07-02

[asiawatcher]

Police have released a facial composite of the man in hopes that the public can provide clues as to his whereabouts. Possible sightings and anonymous tips can by phoned in by calling 191, he said.

so where is the picture? , TV would be the best exposure they would have, esp if he is an expat in Phuket....

also the best thing,they should be to make identicall composition picture whiteout beards , because i suppose that is the first thing he would remove to change chance for easy identification

I agree an artists impression without a beard, also publicising that the police are interested in anyone who has just shaved of a beard. It needs extensive coverage of a local TV news channel.

Checking through immigration , guest houses , and apartments may come up with something, as could sightings via the expat community.

For everyones sakes they need to catch him ASAP

Agree - get the composite shot without the beard as no way would the guy still have it!

[TheBarbarian]

Any which way you look at it, ive is obviously very cheap.

[sedeflonga]

he will already be shaved when this pic comes out... guess another pic without beard could help

[chrisinbangkok]

I hope they catch the low life

the 50,000 bhat reward is a good idea, but only if everyone mainly thais know about it.

i thought it was law to have cctv footage in all bars resteraunts hotels guesthouses,

this man didnt just spring out of no where, sure he puts gasoline in his bike and sure he go's in a 711 and stays in a hotel/ guesthouse?? maybe even footage of a street cctv unit and follow his route backwards, they need to put some ie plenty of bobby's on the job and the girls 2 mates looking at cctv footage from around any location that had a man with a beard in that area on that day!

hope they get him and string him up, these girls have a hard enough job as it is!

[moggoid]

What a tragedy.

[burgdawg]

...stuffed into a suitcase?

this guy deserves to rot in hel_l. That would be an gentle sentence. Totally useless and pointless.

I do not know, but the deceased woman has children and parents to provide for.

A sad day throughout the Kingdom for all.

[Boater]

I hope they catch the low life

the 50,000 bhat reward is a good idea, but only if everyone mainly thais know about it.

i thought it was law to have cctv footage in all bars resteraunts hotels guesthouses,

this man didnt just spring out of no where, sure he puts gasoline in his bike and sure he go's in a 711 and stays in a hotel/ guesthouse?? maybe even footage of a street cctv unit and follow his route backwards, they need to put some ie plenty of bobby's on the job and the girls 2 mates looking at cctv footage from around any location that had a man with a beard in that area on that day!

hope they get him and string him up, these girls have a hard enough job as it is!

totally agree on the above, there alot of CCTV that covers that area, and with some serious detective work, images will appear... maybe they could give the police officer who breaks the case 50,000 THB ...

Also, you have to look on the other side that this Guy MAY NOT have killed her, and is now to scared to bring himself forward as the last person to see her as he will be ' strung up high ' and automatically blamed for the murder... She could have left him to get a motor cycle taxi home or something and was killed on her way home ( wouldnt be the first time )

[thaibkk]

so they rely on the memory of hookers that see hundreds of clients each week/month to make an accurate description of a person seen in a dark environment ?

someone killed a hooker, IT MUST BE AN EXPAT ... right...

if he was shopping for some gay 'strange', why would he go out with a female ?

i don't say this is 'our' guy, but no cctv anywhere ?

[shadiadi]

Nasty business indeed.

1 What happened to that law about bar owners paying a hefty fine and going to jail if caught allowing their girls to sell themselves?

2 Sounds like the guy might have been checking if there were any ladyboys, as he would not want to end up with one!

3 There are not that many bearded farangs in Phuket I think I met 2 the whole time I was there.

4. The guy said he had a house in Phuket town not a big place. Not hundreds of foreigners milling around.

5 I would doubt he would shave his beard off maybe get a haircut.

6 Easy to go unnoticed in Phuket Town I lived in a house there for three years never once spoke to any neighbours or vice versa not the friendliest place in the world.

7 Did the guy speak fluent Thai or just a bit there is a huge difference.

8 He must be working maybe they should start looking through work permit pictures at the labour office also check the schools

There is no proof it was this guy at all Phuket at night is one of the most dangerous places in Thailand for a single woman on a motorbike or even a single guy I got mugged violently 3 times there in 3 years.

I wish them luck in finding who is responsible and condolences to the family

[freedom4life]

I hope they catch the low life

the 50,000 bhat reward is a good idea, but only if everyone mainly thais know about it.

i thought it was law to have cctv footage in all bars resteraunts hotels guesthouses,

this man didnt just spring out of no where, sure he puts gasoline in his bike and sure he go's in a 711 and stays in a hotel/ guesthouse?? maybe even footage of a street cctv unit and follow his route backwards, they need to put some ie plenty of bobby's on the job and the girls 2 mates looking at cctv footage from around any location that had a man with a beard in that area on that day!

hope they get him and string him up, these girls have a hard enough job as it is!

Hard enough job as it is? Nevermind...have mj as an avatar..no point.

[nikkoid66]

OMFG it is so sad. I hope they will catch the murdered punish him to the full extend of the law!

[ryladie99]

I hope they catch the low life

the 50,000 bhat reward is a good idea, but only if everyone mainly thais know about it.

i thought it was law to have cctv footage in all bars resteraunts hotels guesthouses,

this man didnt just spring out of no where, sure he puts gasoline in his bike and sure he go's in a 711 and stays in a hotel/ guesthouse?? maybe even footage of a street cctv unit and follow his route backwards, they need to put some ie plenty of bobby's on the job and the girls 2 mates looking at cctv footage from around any location that had a man with a beard in that area on that day!

hope they get him and string him up, these girls have a hard enough job as it is!

I feel for her family and relative. Thanks the police for the reward..I am not sure he is in Thailand. He might travel outside Thailand already...Our job is passing information to all Farang and Thai people. Sorry that the lady had to take it from this monster. It is very common now and there were many cases happening in the world..watch out?? all ladies....and not all gentlemen are bad like this monster....my take and opinion.

[JacknDanny]

so they rely on the memory of hookers that see hundreds of clients each week/month to make an accurate description of a person seen in a dark environment ?

You would be surprised!!!!

I remember first time I came to Bangkok, many yrs ago, went into a bar, fraternised blah blah.

A year later managed to find my way back to the same bar. Not only did the girl remember my name, but she remembered where in Thailand I had gone to.

Us Westerners cant remember Ping from Pong, but these girls are pretty switched on.

Anyway, if this guy did do it, I hope he gets caught soon

[Master Chief]

How long has she been dead before the body was found?

And when was the real time she was last seen?

six days from the bar pickup to the discovery of her body?

That is some days for things to disapear and be found!

[Thunderbird4ever]

Never saw police offered a reward when a thai killer on the loose killed a farang. Guess its more important for them to solve this when its the other way around.

Hope he gets caught though

Edited July 2, 2010 by Thunderbird4ever

[poida2]

<BR>

<BR>

<BR>I hope they catch the low life<BR>

<BR><BR>the 50,000 bhat reward is a good idea, but only if everyone mainly thais know about it.<BR>i thought it was law to have cctv footage in all bars resteraunts hotels guesthouses,<BR>this man didnt just spring out of no where, sure he puts gasoline in his bike and sure he go's in a 711 and stays in a hotel/ guesthouse?? maybe even footage of a street cctv unit and follow his route backwards, they need to put some ie plenty of bobby's on the job and the girls 2 mates looking at cctv footage from around any location that had a man with a beard in that area on that day!<BR><BR>hope they get him and string him up, these girls have a hard enough job as it is!<BR>

Hard enough job as it is? Nevermind...have mj as an avatar..no point.<BR>

<BR><BR>Whats Michael Jackson got to do with it?<BR>

[farangtopper1]

I hope the police finds the right killer. 50000 baht reward the police will have somethingon this caucasian. Otherwise he has a big problem.

I do not know if the picture of the caucasian was already on the news or newspaper. I think it is to quick to give a reward if it is not sure he did it.

[hardy1943]

...stuffed into a suitcase?

this guy deserves to rot in hel_l. That would be an gentle sentence. Totally useless and pointless.

I do not know, but the deceased woman has children and parents to provide for.

A sad day throughout the Kingdom for all.

I hope the guy rots in hel_l.

Also sad that some gals have to do that job just to survive

and also that is the only way for them to provide for their family.

Know a few that a married to farangs now and make great wives lets forget about their past.

[Jimi007]

Never saw police offered a reward when a thai killer on the loose killed a farang. Guess its more important for them to solve this when its the other way around.

Hope he gets caught though

I was thinking the same thing! Actually I've never seen it for anyone killing anyone in Thailand before. What makes this case special? Usually "wealthy" Thais arrested for murder seem to be released on bail and disappear... Oh yeah, I almost forgot: Thailand is for Thais, not farang.

[Huey]

Yeah this is bad. And like someone else said get a picture of the guy with no facial hair and maybe no hair on his head. A smart criminal would shave his Beard and his hair down low or off. Maybe even dye it another colour.

I for one hope they catch him, and if it was me who found him and could turn him in, I would give the reward cash to the girl's family.