Cops search for links toTanaka case

Cops search for links toTanaka case

Police are looking into the deaths of other foreigners for signs of foul play and possible links to a Thai couple who have been charged in connection with the deaths of two Japanese men.

Pol Lt Gen Suwira Songmetta, assistant national police chief, said investigators decided to embark on the probe their following the arrests of murder suspects Somchai Kaewbangyang and his partner Pornchanok Chaipaya.

The pair have been charged with killing and dismembering 79-year-old Japanese teacher Yoshinori Shimato and dumping his body parts into a canal in Samut Prakan.

Shortly after admitting to the murder, Mr Somchai allegedly confessed he had also killed Japanese businessman Kasitosi Tanaka in 2003.

Mr Somchai allegedly told police he had pushed Tanaka down a staircase and suffocated him.

Tanaka's death at the time was ruled as an accident with the cause of death listed as a heart attack after a fall. Pol Lt Gen Suwira said police are expected to conclude the investigation into the Tanaka case next week.

Police are waiting for the results of a forensic evidence examination to substantiate charges against the pair. It is being handled by the Bang Phli police station in Samut Prakan province.

He said Mr Somchai was a butcher in Bangkok's Klong Toey district before he started working as a taxi driver.

Ms Pornchanok was married to both Tanaka and Shimato.

She used to work at an entertainment venue in the Sukhumvit area where she met Shimato.

As for the Shimato case, Pol Col Somsakchai Amornsongcharoen, superintendent of Bang Sao Thong station in Samut Prakan, said police are still waiting for a report on the pickup truck which was used to transport the body parts to the canal.

Mr Somchai is being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison while Ms Pornchanok is being detained at the Central Women Corrections Institution.

Ayut Sinthoppan, chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, said both suspects are under 24-hour observation by prison authorities. 

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