SI SA KET: An army captain was arraigned in provincial court on Monday with the premeditated murder of a senior education official known as "Director Oi".
Capt Supachai Phaso, alias Capt Neng, was taken to Kantharakak provincial court by prison officers after being indicted by prosecutors last week. He was to enter pleas to 11 alleged offences, including premeditated murder and covering up a crime.
He faces prosecution over the death of Juthaporn Oun-on, 37, director of the education office attached to the tambon Cham administration organisation in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket.
He was arrested and charged by police in October, several months after she disappeared, when DNA extracted from a skull found in a forest in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani proved a match with Juthaporn's.
Police investigators reportedly believe Juthaporn and Capt Supachai were together on July 3, shortly before she disappeared.
Sakda Khlairomsai, a senior prosecutor, said despite the absence of any eyewitness, the prosecution has substantial material evidence and a strong cas against Capt Supachai.
The evidence includes records of mobile phone calls between the defendant and the victim and transfers of money, he said.
The case file has more than 2,000 pages.
The victim's family was at the court to observe the proceedings on Monday.
Laem Oun-on, Juthaporn’s mother, said she had mixed with emotions. While she felt "satisfied" that her daughter would eventually get justice, she was still devastated by the loss.
Before the discovery of the remains, Ms Laem said, her daughter came to her in a dream and said her body was in a forest on a mountain near a military helicopter pad. The area was in tambon Doam Pradit of Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani.
The family went to the spot the next morning and found the skull, some hair, a molar tooth and a wristwatch with a black leather band. Ms Laem reportedly recognised the watch as belonging to her daughter. The family alerted police to the discovery.