The army has reportedly dismissed Capt Supphachai Phaso, the prime suspect in the disappearance case of a local administrator, who vanished nearly four-months ago.
Capt Suppachai, who was attached with the 6th Infantry Regiment in Ubon Ratchathani, earlier faced an army probe into his alleged involvement as he is believed to be the last person to have contacted Juthaporn Ounon, 37, before she went missing in early July.
According to a source close to the investigation, Capt Suppachai was ordered to leave his post so police can "do their jobs fully and quickly" -- the suspect now will have no connection with the army.
The officer will no longer get so-called immunity from the Judge Advocate-General's Department as he will be treated as an ordinary suspect.
Ms Juthaporn's mother, Laem, earlier petitioned national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, asking him to step up the investigation.
Ms Laem was worried her family would not receive fair treatment.
An initial investigation suspected Capt Suappachai had a "close" relationship with Ms Juthaporn after finding the captain's mobile phone was used to gain access to the woman's Facebook page after her disappearance.
Ms Juthaporn, director of the education division of the Cham Tambon Administration Organisation, often known as "director Oi", went missing on July 3 after driving her child to school in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.
Juthaporn: Went missing on July 3
The report of Capt Suppachai's dismissal came as authorities found human remains believed to be those of Ms Juthaporn.
Investigators were examining the bones and a belt bearing a state agency emblem found near the Lao border in Ubon Ratchathani province.
The belt was fastened around a bundle containing hair, a black watch, a skull and other bones on a hill near the Anuphong paramilitary ranger unit in Nam Yuen district. Relatives of Ms Juthaporn believe the remains are hers.
All the bones will be sent to Bangkok for DNA testing. The results will be known within one week.