A Pakistani man believed to have killed his Thai sister-in-law in Nongprue fled Thailand before the murder was even discovered.
Police said Muhammad Yousef, 47, took a Thai Airways International flight bound for Karachi, Pakistan and Muscat, Oman after allegedly bludgeoning Nonglak Chaloeijanya Ashfaq, 45, at her Ariya Villa Village home on Soi Nongmaikaen 15. Her body was discovered Feb. 17, but officials believe she’d been dead at least five days.
Ornna Jungwongsukh, a contractor working on a house across the street from Nonglak’s, told police Feb. 17 that two men in traditional Muslim dress visited the victim on Feb. 9, the same day Yousef had entered Thailand, but paid little mind to it until he discovered Nonglak was killed.
Muhammad Yousef, shown here at Suvarnabhumi Airport preparing to leave the country.
The victim’s sister, Malee Chaloeyjanya, 54, said Nonglak and Yousef had engaged in numerous arguments over property, particularly the Ariya Villa house, which he supposedly wanted registered under his name. They also fought over ownership of her Toyota Vigo pickup truck, Malee said.
Nonglak was married to Muhammad Ashfaq and the two lived most of the year in Switzerland, where she operated a Thai restaurant. They had one child together.
Malee said the couple often spent vacations in Thailand and that they had arrived about three months ago for their latest visit. Ashfaq, however, returned home earlier and the victim was scheduled to depart Feb. 19.
Based on reports from the contactor and Malee, police immediately suspected Yousef of the murder, but discovered he’d left the country before the body was discovered.
Police are gathering more evidence before proceeding with the case.
