71 year old Thai woman robbed and killed in Chiang Rai home

A killer remains at large after killing a 71 year old Thai woman at her home in the northern province of Chiang Rai and stealing her gold necklace.

A 58 year old Thai man, Prasit Sanukun, reported the death of his older sister, 71 year old Sa-ngiam Kunnana, to Mueang Chiang Rai Police Station officers yesterday, August 6. Prasit asked Sa-ngiam’s neighbour to break into his sister’s home, where the lifeless body was found.

Prasit told police and ThaiRath that Sa-ngiam attended a relative’s funeral on August 4 and planned to attend the cremation on August 5 but she never showed up. He decided to check on her after the cremation finished at about 3pm.

Prasit said the home was locked and there was no response when he called for Sa-ngiam. Suspecting foul play, he asked the neighbour to break in.

Police investigated the scene and reported clear signs of theft and struggle. The murderer also left footprints in the victim’s blood on the floor.

According to Prasit, Sa-ngiam always wore three gold accessories: a necklace, a ring, and a bracelet. Police reported that only the gold necklace was missing. Her 20,000 baht in cash, kept in a bedside table, was untouched.

Community leader Luan Piraban told the media that Sa-ngiam lived alone, as her two children lived in the central province of Mahasarakham and her granddaughter in Phuket. Her home was isolated, so no one heard any noises or screams for help.

Luan added that there had been no previous thefts or murders in the community, so people were shocked and scared by Sa-ngiam’s tragic death. The community leader warned residents not to wear expensive accessories to avoid attracting criminals.

Police have not yet identified the suspect but are focusing on a 30 year old Thai man with a history of drug use who disappeared from the community a week before the incident.