PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN - An intense manhunt is underway for the suspect in a savage rape and murder after a young woman was found with her throat slashed and her hands and feet tied at a house in Pran Buri district late Tuesday night.
Police and rescue units were called to a rented room in tambon Khao Noi about 10pm on Tuesday after a report there was a bad smell eminating from it, said Pol Lt Ekkapoj Thimthong, a duty officer at Pran Buri district police station.
The door to the room, the fifth in a corridor of eight, was locked and had to be forced open.
Inside, on the floor, lay the abused body of Sriprapa Khosin, 25. Her belongings were scattered over the blood-spattered room. Forensic police estimated she had been killed 2-3 days before.
Her knitted blouse was pulled up over her chest, her jeans taken off and her hands were bound to her thighs. The woman had a 10cm slash wound to her throat and bruises on her face.
Friends told police Sriprapa worked as a waitress at a popular Isaan restaurant in Pran Buri. She left there after work with a male friend early on Sunday and had not been seen since.
When she did not turn up for work they thought she might be sick, so they went to visit her in her rented room on Tuesday night. The door was locked and there was no reply when they knocked. Her two pairs of shoes were outside the door, but her motorcycle was missing.
When they realised there was also a bad smell coming from the room they immediately alerted police.
Her friends told police Sriprapa had no conflict with anyone at work. She was a good looking woman and several men had been involved with her.
Neighbours told police they saw a man come out of her room on Sunday afternoon and leave hurriedly on her motorcycle.
Friends said Sriprapa's two gold necklaces, a gold bracelet and a mobile phone were missing.
Pol Maj Gen Prasert Siripannapirat, acting chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan, on Wednesday morning called a meeting with investigators handling the case. A team was sent to check with gold shops in case the missing jewellery had been sold.
Police summoned her ex-boyfriend, identified only as Ton, for questioning.
They were also looking for another man, a relative. Pol Maj Gen Prasert ordered police to track him down, examine footage of surveillance cameras along possible escape routes and search for the missing motorcycle.
Police said an arrest warrant was likely to be issued soon for the suspect as the investigation had progressed well.