Phuket murder suspect surrenders in Nakhon Sri Thammarat case

Wittawat Pantharat, 51, of Wichit surrendered to Border Patrol Police Unit 427 in Thung Song in the early hours of Friday, Apr 24, after a warrant was issued over the death of a Phuket woman, Kimyong Saisanasin. Investigators from Mueang Nakhon Sri Thammarat Police Station then took him into custody, and Pol Col Chakkawat Boonthaveekulsawat, deputy commander of Nakhon Sri Thammarat Provincial Police, oversaw initial questioning.

Hotel death and suspect account

Kimyong, 31, from Ratsada, was found dead in a room at the Nuan Khon Hotel in Tha Sak subdistrict at about 9:10pm on Apr 22. An initial examination found injuries consistent with suffocation caused by pressure to the mouth and nose, and police classified the case as assault resulting in death.

Police identified Wittawat as the prime suspect after CCTV showed him leaving the hotel alone shortly before the body was discovered.

Thai media reports said Wittawat, a local snooker player known as “Sian Kluay,” acknowledged he was the man named in the warrant but denied murder. He told police a physical altercation left Kimyong motionless, and claimed he told hotel staff to call an ambulance before fleeing.

Reports have suggested jealousy may have been a motive, with the pair meeting at the hotel to resolve personal issues. Wittawat later contacted his daughter and decided to surrender, saying he could not remain on the run.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-murder-fugitive-surrenders-100038.php