Kanchanaburi: Police arrested an Indian man for allegedly stabbing his Thai girlfriend to death at a hotel in Bangkok, as he tried to sneak out of the country through a checkpoint in the western province yesterday.
Rajman Yabav, 32, was nabbed at a checkpoint in the province bordering Myanmar. He has been charged with the murder of Sukanya Dissayabut, 51, at a hotel in Soi Wutthakat of Thon Buri district in Bangkok.
Sukanya sustained multiple stab wounds. Police said she appeared to have died about an hour before they arrived at the scene. A long carving knife was found near the body along with the woman's mobile phone which had run out of battery.
A hotel receptionist told police Sukanya had checked in at the hotel on April 7. An Indian man, presumably Mr Yabav, was staying in the room while Sukanya would come during the day and leave at night.
Before Sukanya was found dead, the receptionist heard heated arguments from the room and called to find out what was happening. The Indian man answered and hung up.
Sometime after that, the man was seen leaving the hotel. The receptionist thought something was amiss and alerted the police.
Investigators said they searched the hotel room and confirmed Sukanya's valuables were intact.
Pol Col Damrongsak Sangangam, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 8, said Mr Yabav was transferred to Bangkok for questioning after being caught in Kanchanaburi. He has been charged initially with murder, although that could be amended to premeditated murder as the investigation deepens.
A police source said Mr Yabav sought treatment at a hospital in Tha Maka district of Kanchanaburi for cuts on his arms before he was caught at the checkpoint.
The suspect had lent money to Sukanya, and she was unable to repay, causing arguments in the hotel room. Mr Yabav allegedly confessed that he stabbed Sukanya in a fit of anger after she refused to settle the debt.
The suspect was remanded in the custody of Talad Plu police. Sukanya's son, Komin (surname not given), 20, told police he had no idea his mother was dating Mr Yabav.