Explanation expected in Khon Kaen murder case

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Explanation expected in Khon Kaen murder case
By The Nation

 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The public is waiting for further details in the gruesome murder of a karaoke bar singer whose body was found last week dismembered and buried in Khon Kaen province after three female fugitives surrendered to Myanmar police on Saturday night.

 

The three women, Priyanuch Nonwangchai, Apiwarn Satayabundit and Kawita Rachada, were then handed over to Chiang Rai police at the Tachilek-Mae Sai checkpoint.

 

Initial reports indicated that Myanmar police had arrested the three women but it was later confirmed they turned themselves in to Myanmar police. After their surrender, CCTV footage emerged showing them walking in a Tachilek market. 

 

Chiang Rai police separated the three women to interview them with reports saying they looked tired and had asked for the interviews to be cut short. A photo showed them sleeping in a row apparently at the police station.

 

The suspects were expected to speak in a press conference at the Chiang Rai police station and reporters were told to wait in a room. However, the event was cancelled and the suspects were whisked out of the station to a van and reportedly taken to board a helicopter to Bangkok.

 

It was also reported that national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda would interrogate the women personally and they would be allowed to speak to reporters later at about 3pm. However, it later appeared that press appearance would also be cancelled and Chakthip would speak to reporters instead.

 

The three women will be taken to Khon Kaen where the murder took place.

 

Warisara’s body parts were found in two buckets buried in a field in Khon Kaen’s Khao Suan Kwang district on May 25 by a local villager. At first, police could not identify the victim but they found a tattoo on her shoulder and further investigation revealed her identity.

 

Police the arrested two suspects, Jidarat Promkun and Wasin Namprom, with the latter claiming that Warisara had been killed and dismembered following a feud over drugs.

 

Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation said Priyanuch did not want to surrender to authorities after the crime out of concern for her two alleged accomplices, who had asked for more time to accept the consequences of their actions.

 

The source on Sunday quoted Priyanuch as confessing to killing Warisara over a money dispute and for revenge, while her friends Kawita and Apiwan allegedly helped to cut up the victim’s body to cover up the crime. 

 

The gruesome murder made headlines and prompted authorities to expedite the investigation, which led to Priyanuch being identified as the prime suspect.

 

According to the source, Priyanuch had thousands of baht in cash when she fled to Myanmar with Kawita and Apiwan. 

 

“We worked at a karaoke bar for about two days. But due to pressure from authorities, we had to quit our jobs there and move to various small villages in Tachilek,” Priyanuch was quoted as saying.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30317174

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-05