Police have announced a cash reward of 200,000 baht for further evidence leading to the conviction of a serial rapist and killer who is believed to have attacked 10 elderly victims in three Central Plain provinces since 2011.
Provincial Police Region 7 commander Veerapong Chuenpakdi said there is an all-out manhunt underway for the rapist. The hunt so far covered four provinces -- Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkram.
On Monday, police arrested a suspect in a series of rapes and murders in Nakhon Chaisi district of Nakhon Pathom. Arresting officers said he matched the identikit picture they distributed.
DNA samples taken from the suspect, whose name was withheld, matched samples recovered from seven of the rapist's victims, said police.
They have not yet confirmed he is the wanted man.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), Provincial Police Region 7 and local police are involved in the far-flung investigation.
They are looking for a man believed to have attacked 10 elderly women in Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Sumut Songkhram provinces since 2011. Two of the victims were also murdered.
The latest rape occurred in Nakhom Pathom on Sunday, when a 73-year-old woman was attacked while sleeping in her bedroom.
The suspect poisoned her dog before breaking in through a window, police said.
He threatened her with a knife before raping her. He then cut the telephone line and stole 5,000 baht in cash and a Buddhist amulet.
Soldiers join police officers in a hunt for a serial rapist and killer in Nakhon Chaisi district in Nakhon Pathom on Wednesday. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Royal Thai Police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said on Wednesday that national police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang has sought cooperation from the public. They can call police around the clock via hotline 191 or 1599 if they see the rapist suspect or had information as to his whereabouts. Identikit pictures of the rapist have been post online and in public areas.
Anyone providing information leading to the arrest of the rapist will be given a cash reward of 200,000 baht, said Pol Lt Gen Prawut. The reward was donated by a well-intentioned person, he added.