Murder suspect turns up in Cambodian hotel

Spotted after wealthy lover killed in BKK

Bangkok police confirmed on Thursday that murder suspect Atsaya Chaipa, 33, was seen on camera at a hotel in Cambodia on the night of July 27, less than a day after allegedly killing his rich girlfriend and employer in Bangkok.

Pol Maj Gen Theerapong Wongratthapitak, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 4, said yesterday the suspect was seen at the hotel with another person.

He did not identify the hotel and said police did not know if his companion was involved in the murder of Thitima Tangwibunphanit, 39, in Bangkok on July 26-27.

Thitima’s wallet and ATM cards were also missing from her Mercedes-Benz E220, abandoned near the Cambodian border in Chanthaburi province. It was left at a private parking lot near the Ban Pakard border crossing in tambon Klong Yai of Chanthaburi’s Pong Nam Ron district.

Thitima and the suspect had withdrawn 200,000 baht in cash from her account before she was killed, but the withdrawal did not seem to be forced, Pol Maj Gen Teerapong said.

Pol Col Supol Kamchu, chief of Chokechai station, said on Thursday that Mr Atsaya was seen exiting the hotel in Cambodia at 7.10pm on July 27. He was there for only an hour and a half, he said.

The abandoned Mercedes was taken to Chokechai station yesterday morning for examination and collection of evidence.

The dead woman’s father, Amnuay Wichaichote, 67, said when police handed her belongings over to him that he had been suspicious of Mr Atsaya since he first met him years ago.

He f ound his daughter’s murder “intolerable”.

A conflict over money could have been the motive for Thitima’s murder, Mr Amnuay said. A maid at the Bangkok hotel where she was later found dead reported that she had earlier heard a loud demand for repayment made inside the room as she went past.

He had no idea how much the suspect had borrowed from his late daughter.

Thitima’s young brother Bundit Tangwibunphanit said her missing valuables included a gold bracelet and ring and 200,000 baht in cash.

Thitima was the managing director of Mahakiat Property Co, ran property and transport businesses, and owned three petrol stations.

She arrived at Greenpoint Residence Hotel on Pradit Manutham Road in Lad Phrao district with Mr Atsaya, who was reportedly her employee, at 10.40pm on July 26.

The suspect drove off from the hotel alone a few hours later in her car.

Thitima’s body was found in their room on the seventh floor of the hotel on Monday — three days after her family reported her mission with the police — with a severe head injury to the right temple. A dented aluminium baseball bat with blood stains was found in the room.

Pol Maj Gen Theerapong said Cambodian authorities were informed that Mr Atsaya was wanted for the murder and were cooperative. An arrest warrant had been issued on charges of murder and theft.

Investigators had also learned that Mr Atsaya was a heavy gambler, he said.

Pol Maj Theerapong said Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Charnthep Saesawet has given investigators in charge of the case seven days to catch the suspect. He added the police would take swift action against anyone suspected of being connected to the case who resist police arrest.