Paveena took her daughter to receive the mother's ashes after her mysterious death at a massage parlor in Japan, to perform religious funeral rites. They are still awaiting autopsy results on brain and heart tissues, hoping to uncover the cause of death.
At 1:00 p.m. on 12 Dec 2025 GMT+7, at the Division for the Protection and Welfare of Thais Abroad, Government Complex, Chaeng Watthana, Building B, 7th Floor, Mrs. Paveena Hongsakul, Chairwoman of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, accompanied Ms. Kanyavee, or Mint, a 20-year-old veterinary student, who filed a complaint with the foundation. Mint reported that her mother, Ms. Nongnapat, aged 47, died under suspicious circumstances. The body was found nude on a massage bed at a spa in Japan owned by "Nana," a Thai woman from Maha Sarakham province. The incident occurred on 5 Oct 2025 GMT+7. They went to collect the mother's ashes after autopsy and cremation in Japan before returning them to Thailand.
At 2:00 p.m., Mrs. Paveena took Ms. Kanyavee to perform a merit-making ceremony and chant the Matika Bangsukol prayer at Sala 3, Wat Koh Suwannaram, Sai Mai district, Bangkok. The abbot, Phra Kru Palat Suwattanakawi Khun (Phra Kru Rungsang), deputy dean of Sai Mai district, kindly officiated the funeral rites to help the spirit attain peace. Ms. Kanyavee was grieving and cried throughout the ceremony.
Mrs. Paveena stated that Mint is still waiting for the detailed autopsy results on her mother. Brain and heart samples have been sent for forensic medical examination in Japan. Previously, on 18 Oct 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Amnat Palapleeval, Director of the Division for the Protection and Welfare of Thais Abroad, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sent an unofficial translated copy of the autopsy report to the foundation for Mint. The preliminary autopsy found no wounds on the body indicating murder. However, it is highly possible the death was due to illness. The detailed investigation is ongoing and may take 1-2 months.
Mrs. Paveena added that Mint asked the foundation to investigate her mother's cause of death, as she suspects unusual circumstances. The mother was found nude at the massage parlor, and before her death, she had told that a Japanese man had violently strangled her. The mother was the family's main breadwinner, working daily to support Mint's medical studies.
After receiving the case, the foundation immediately coordinated with Mr. Amnat Palapleeval, Director of the Division for the Protection and Welfare of Thais Abroad, and Police Major General Jaturaphat Piromkaew, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division (Thai Interpol), to expedite the investigation into the true cause of death and monitor the repatriation process. They also appealed for donations from the Thai public to cover repatriation expenses. Meanwhile, the foundation helped Mint find part-time work during school breaks to cover educational expenses. The "E-Jan" foundation raised 157,765.47 baht in donations from the community to support Mint's expenses and education. The foundation also coordinated with Ms. Sompratana Nawong, owner of the E-Jan page/Foundation, to provide Mint part-time employment for income to continue her studies.