The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) reported that its Crime Suppression Division officers, together with police from Provincial Police Region 8, arrested the suspect, named in the report only as ‘Mr Thiraphat’, under a warrant for murder and concealment of a body to hide the cause of death.
The arrest followed the grim discovery of the body of 51-year-old ‘Ms Kansiri’ near the Baan Tha Yai community pier in Khok Kloi, Takua Thung District, at about 1pm on Apr 8. Her body was found floating in the water with an iron chain and dumbbell attached to her neck.
Fingerprint checks confirmed her identity, police said.
Investigations revealed that Ms Kansiri lived with Mr Thiraphat at a house on 50 Pi Rd in Patong. Evidence collected by officers linked him to her death, but he was not found at the residence when police investigated the scene.
Officers later learned that Mr Thiraphat had been staying with his girlfriend at a dormitory in Phuket Town. Crime Suppression Division and Region 8 Police located him there and escorted him to Khok Kloi Police Station for questioning.
The Phang Nga Provincial Court later issued an arrest warrant, which was formally served before Mr Thiraphat was taken into custody and handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
The operation was led under the direction of CIB Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jiraphop Phuridet, Crime Suppression Division Commander Pol Maj Gen Wittaya Sriprasertphap, and Division 5 Superintendent Pol Col Phatrawut Onchuai, with the on-ground arrest carried out by Division 5 officers headed by Pol Lt Col Thanison Huiwetchasat, the report noted.