Progress in the case of a 22-year-old waitress found dead under suspicious circumstances in a Hang Dong room, Chiang Mai. Police are urgently gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Three suspects have been identified.
On 8 Mar 2016, it was reported that on the previous day (7 Mar) at about 16:00, Police Colonel Jakriyut Chotwichirapong, Superintendent of Hang Dong Police Station, Chiang Mai, was informed by Lieutenant Colonel Wallapa Moolmuang, an investigator at Hang Dong Police Station, of a female found dead potentially as a homicide. The body was discovered on a bed wearing blue pajamas, with pants pulled up to below the knees. Nearby, a broken hair straightener cord was found and two mobile phones were missing. The incident occurred at a residence in Village No. 10, Nam Phrae Subdistrict, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai.
After receiving the report, authorities promptly proceeded to the scene with investigation teams from Hang Dong Police and the Chiang Mai Provincial Police, coordinating with forensic officers from Chiang Mai to examine the site.
Later, Hang Dong investigation officers searched the area and found a hat and shoulder bag, believed to belong to the deceased, which had been placed in a bag and discarded by the roadside near the house along with other trash.
The deceased was later identified as Ms. Praew, aged 22, who worked as a waitress at a restaurant about 800 meters from the scene. Authorities estimated she had been dead for approximately two days, from 6 to 7 Mar 2016. After preliminary autopsy and evidence examination, her body was sent to the forensic department at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital for a detailed autopsy to confirm the cause of death, as decomposition and odor had begun.
Initial inquiries revealed that the first person to find the body was Ms. Ratree Surin, the victim’s employer. She said Praew had worked as a waitress at the restaurant for several months. On 5 Mar at about 16:45, Praew messaged her via LINE saying she would be late to work but did arrive. The restaurant usually closed around midnight, but on 5 Mar it closed at about 23:30 due to no customers.
On 6 Mar, at work time, Praew did not appear, and attempts to call her were unsuccessful. Ms. Ratree assumed she might be out or attending to personal matters and did not worry initially. When calls went unanswered again the next day, and given that Praew’s rental home was only 800 meters from the restaurant, Ms. Ratree brought her niece to look for her. They found the front door open, called out with no response, and the niece saw a foot inside the bedroom. She ran down to inform Ms. Ratree, suspecting Praew had died. Ms. Ratree then contacted police she knew to investigate, confirming the death.
Regarding personal matters, Ms. Ratree said she was unaware of details but heard Praew complain to a friend about a person named Jay or Jame, an ex-boyfriend who was harassing her persistently. At the restaurant, several men had tried to court Praew because of her looks, but Ms. Ratree did not involve herself in her private affairs, focusing only on work matters.
A cousin of the deceased said that he used to live in the area but Praew suddenly moved in after having a dispute with a senior colleague at her previous job. Initially, he thought she would stay briefly, but she remained permanently. He had since moved out with his girlfriend, leaving Praew alone. Later, he learned Praew had a new boyfriend. Regarding Jay or Jame, he only knew the person was an ex-boyfriend, but was unsure if they had been in a relationship.
At about 19:00 on 7 Mar, Mr. Ta, 43, Praew’s father, and Mrs. Anyanit, 41, her mother, along with relatives and neighbors, traveled more than three hours from their home in Muang Haeng Subdistrict, Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai, rushing to Hang Dong after learning of their daughter’s death and potential homicide.
The victim’s father described Praew as a very good child and the only daughter, who regularly sent money to support her parents. He urged police to swiftly apprehend the perpetrator, condemning the brutality involved. He also called on social media to pressure the suspect to surrender. Mrs. Anyanit arrived at Hang Dong Police Station in tears and was comforted by family and neighbors, who feared she might suffer shock or faint.
Currently, the investigation team is intensively gathering evidence and interviewing related individuals. They have identified approximately two to three suspects. Authorities are awaiting detailed autopsy results. Further updates will be provided as the case develops.