A court has approved the detention of four partygoers and a house owner held in connection with model Lunlabelle's death and allowed them bail, but three of them could not produce sureties in time.
Bukkhalo police took the five people to the Thon Buri Criminal Court on Saturday morning to seek the first round of detention for 12 days. They are house owner Chaiyaphon Panna, 29; his elder brother Nathee Sathipongsathaporn, 33; Mr Chaiyaphon’s wife Phikunthong Bunpha, 24; Koset Ritnithiruek, 35; and Kritsada Lohitdi, 27.
The court later set bail at 150,000 baht for each of them. Mr Koset and Mr Kritsada were later released. Mr Nathee, Mr Chaiyaphon and Ms Phikulthong could not produce sureties in time on Saturday and would have to spend the night at the Thon Buri special prison.
The suspects were arrested on Friday on warrants approved by the Thon Buri Criminal Court for supporting another person in committing wrongdoing that led to the death of the victim.
Earlier, only Rachadech "Nam Oun" Wongthabutr, 25, a model, had been arrested in connection with the case. Mr Rachadech, who was caught on camera carrying the barely conscious presenter and model Thitima Noraphanpiphat to his condominium room, was charged with detaining the victim in a way that caused her death, molestation, and committing an indecent act.
Thitima, 25, known as Lunlabelle, had been hired to serve drinks at Mr Chaiyaphon’s house in Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi, on Sept 16. She was found dead early on Sept 17 in the lobby of the condominium in the Talat Phlu area where her co-worker Rachadech lives.
An autopsy, performed by Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, found Thitima had died of extreme alcohol intoxication with blood alcohol concentration of 418 milligrammes per 100 millilitres.
Levels in a range between 0.25% and 0.39% cause alcohol posioning and loss of consciousness while those of 0.40% or more trigger a coma and possible death due to respiratory arrest.
Police opposed bail for the five suspects for fear they might interfere with evidence.
All suspects showed no sign of stress when taken to the court.
The five and another woman were earlier arrested in another case at the Bang Bua Thong house involving another young product presenter who alleged she was sexually assaulted.
Suspects involved in the case are taken to a house in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi, for a re-enactment of events on Sept 17. (File photo)