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Suspect arrested in last week’s murder/rape
Police have arrested Banyat Sirireung, a 24 year old native of Khorat,
for his involvement in last week’s rape and murder of an as yet unknown
35- 40 year old Thai woman who was left naked, face down in front of a
shack on the edge of a watermelon field on Pattaya-Jomtien Road.
From initial investigations, police learned that the shack where the
murder occurred was a gathering place for young people who often had
drinking parties and sexual trysts. Officers found a used condom near
the spot of the murder and many more inside the shack. Police surmise
that this was also a place for surreptitiously using illegal drugs.
Banyat was employed as a room-boy in a hotel located near Jomtien Beach
and the site of the crime. After initial investigations, a squad of
officers found him sleeping in another shack near the murder site, from
which he was taken to Pattaya Police Station for interrogation.
From questioning, police learned that the murder had taken place at
approx. 3:00 a.m. Banyat said he and a friend he referred to as Manu
Sangthong, 25, had been drinking in the shack and conspiring how to mug
people in order to get spending money. After they had finished the
liquor, Manu went out to buy more, but returned empty handed. He was
upset that there was no liquor to be found, so he took out the gun he
was carrying and fired one shot into the air. He then threw the gun onto
the ground near the murder site.
Banyat told police that it was then that the unfortunate victim happened
to pass by. Manu grabbed her with the intention of robbing her, but she
had no money or valuables. He then told her to remove her clothing with
the intention of raping her. When the victim resisted, Manu stabbed her
once with a fruit peeling knife in the abdomen. She collapsed and he
took her cloak and strangled her until she was still, and then raped
her.
Banyat told police he did not participate in the rape, but he did watch.
When he and Manu discovered that the woman was dead, they fled the
scene, stomping on the corpse’s back before leaving.
Banyat had no money and didn’t know where to go, so he hid in another
shack where he was found by police.
Police later found an illegal gun in a grassy area near the murder sight
which had an empty bullet casing in one of the cylinders. The tamping
had fallen on the ground. Police collected all as evidence.
From the evidence gathered officers now think that there were no less
than 3 people involved in the murder of the woman, and do not believe
Banyat’s testimony stating he was not involved in the rape. Police are
holding Banyat on charges and are looking for Manu.
Police informed reporters that both men had just been released from
prison after serving terms for robbery and drugs.
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