Police have not yet ruled out a Kamphaeng Phet dentist as a suspect in the murder and dismemberment of a 24-year-old male bank employee.
The dismembered and decapitated body of Kriangkrai Kwan-on was found stuffed inside two bags in a dry canal in Chai Nat early last week.
Deputy national police chief, Pol Col Aek Angsananont, said yesterday Chaiyaporn sae Ung, a dentist, remains a suspect in the case despite his claim of innocence on Monday.
Investigators were examining evidence and talking to witnesses to find out whether the dentist has an alibi.
Evidence and witness accounts suggested Kriangkrai was probably killed between 8am and noon on Wednesday last week, Pol Col Aek said.
Preliminary autopsy results showed the victim had not eaten anything for six to eight hours before he was killed.
No food or water was found in his stomach, assistant national police chief Jarumporn Suramanee said.
Police are searching for Kriangkrai's head, Pol Lt Gen Jarumporn said. The missing head may hold clues to the cause of death, he said.
The body may have been cut up with a chainsaw or a knife, he said.
Police said they also found a semen-stained tissue in Kriangkrai's car. DNA tests are being conducted on the tissue.
Pol Lt Gen Jarumporn said fingerprints were also collected from the car as well as a bag of chilli dip. Where the dip was purchased or obtained might help the investigation, he said.
On Monday, Dr Chaiyaporn held a press conference to deny involvement in the murder.
He said he was not gay and denied having a relationship with Kriangkrai, one of his patients.
Dr Chaiyaporn blasted reports in the media that claimed he killed Kriangkrai out of jealousy.
The allegations have damaged his reputation and that of his practice, he said.
Dr Chaiyaporn owns two dental clinics in Kamphaeng Phet.
Kriangkrai, also from Kamphaeng Phet, worked and lived in Bangkok before he died, the dentist said.
Dr Chaiyaporn said Kriangkrai was receiving regular treatment at his clinic.
The dentist said he recently applied for a credit card at the same bank where Kriangkrai worked and that would explain why copies of his personal information were found in Kriangkrai's car.