SONGKHLA: Charred bones found in a marsh in Hat Yai are believed to be those of a businesswoman who disappeared 10 days ago, police said on Friday.
Relatives of Pinyada Paenchan made the identification when they were brought to the marshy area where the bones were discovered, but definitive identification will require more tests.
A local resident made the discovery about 10 metres off Thanon Liap Khong Rabainam Ror 5 Road at Tha Nang Hom village in Hat Yai, said Pol Capt Chalermchai Temprom, deputy investigation chief at the Khohong police station, who received the report around 12.30pm.
The officers found ashes, pieces of broken pavement, burned motorcycle tyres and a diamond-studded ring. Broken pieces of a charred human skull and other bones were found scattered over the area. Officers also found a false tooth and two motorcycle tyres that had not been burned nearby.
Police believe those involved had tried to destroy evidence by breaking up the burned bones and sweeping them into the tall grass.
Investigators contacted Praweena Khunsong-aksorn, 58, who came to the site along with other relatives. She said the body was that of Pinyada, her younger sister.
Pinyada, 48, was last seen on May 23 and relatives filed a missing person complaint with the Muang district police station in Songkhla.
Relatives told police that Pinyada ran a direct-sales business and sold life insurance and was quite wealthy. She had disappeared from her house on the night of May 23 along with her black Mercedes-Benz. Bloodstains were found in the house in Muang district, they said.
Pinyada and her husband were divorced. He had returned to live in her house but the couple no longer lived as husband and wife, relatives said.
An initial police investigation found that the woman had been in a quarrel with a man, and they are now seeking him for questioning, along with the missing car.