Doctors are examining human remains believed to belong to a senior education official in Si Sa Ket who has been missing since early July.
The human remains and a belt bearing a state agency emblem were found near the Lao border in Ubon Ratchathani province.
The belt was fastened around a bundle containing hair, a black watch, a skull and bones on a hill near Anuphong paramilitary ranger unit in Nam Yuen district, the same area where the missing official’s husband launched a search for her in late August.
Relatives of Juthaporn Oun-on, 37, who was last seen on July 3, believe the remains belong to Ms Juthaporn, often known as “director Oi”.
Dr Wichuda Chaemphan, of Nam Yuen hospital, said more bones would need to be examined to confirm if there is any sign of physical assault, Naew Na online news reported on Tuesday.
The bones already sent for examination include a skull and molars, rib, spine and some neck bones, Dr Wichuda said.
Ms Juthaporn’s husband, Witthaya Ketkaew, led a group of searchers to Nam Yuen district in August after receiving information from a village head in the adjoining Lao province of Champasak that the body of a woman who is not a Lao national was found near the border.
The woman's mother, Laem, also petitioned national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, asking he step up the investigation into her disappearance. Ms Laem was worried the family would not receive fair treatment because a prime suspect is an army officer.
Capt Supphachai Phaso, of the 6th Infantry Regiment in Ubon Ratchathani, is believed to be the last person to contact Ms Juthaporn, director of the education division of the Cham tambon administration organisation, on July 3.
She went missing on the same day after driving her child to a school in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district.
The army has already launched a probe into his alleged involvement. The army captain has denied having anything to do with her disappearance.