Police are seeking Interpol's assistance in tracking a Chinese man who fled Thailand after allegedly killing his Thai wife at their home in Phitsanulok this week.
Pol Col Songpol Sangkasem, chief inspector of Muang Phitsanulok police, on Monday led a team of investigators in searching a house in tambon Wat Chan where they found the semi-naked body of Nanpika Ketthong, 41, wrapped in a blanket.
The woman had suffered what appeared to be fatal cuts to her head and face. Her hands and ankles were bound with rope and she was naked from the waist down, according to the police.
An autopsy was performed on the victim at Naresuan University Hospital.
Police suspect Nanpika may have been killed by her Chinese husband, identified as Yi Ei Chai, 41, at their house. Checks with the Immigration Bureau revealed the man left the country through Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday, soon after when police suspect his wife was killed. However, police did not provide details of his destination.
Police believe the woman had been dead for about 48 hours when her body was found on Monday.
The police have asked for Interpol's assistance in tracking down Mr Yi and have requested a court warrant for his arrest on suspicion of murder.
According to Nanpika's family, she and Mr Yi had made a living selling soy milk in Phitsanulok city centre.
Nanpika's brother, Pakphum Ketthong, told police his sister called him on Saturday and asked him to pick her up at Phitsanulok airport but did not give her flight's arrival time. He was waiting for her to contact him again but he received no further calls.
He assumed Mr Yi had collected Nanpika at the airport, but the family became anxious after they could not contact her. They went to the couple's house where they found her dead.
Neighbours said they heard a bitter argument coming from the couple's house on Saturday night. Mr Yi had assaulted his wife in the past, they said.