Mystery surrounds abduction of 35 year old car salesperson in Chiang Mai

The case of Aom (not her real name), a 35 year old car salesperson working for a well-known automotive showroom near Kad Sam Yek in San Sai district, Chiang Mai, sparked concern when she disappeared, feared abducted, after meeting a 41 year old male customer at a coffee shop near her workplace on Saturday, April 29. The family reported her disappearance to the San Sai police station and the authorities have been working to locate her.

Last night, officers tracked Aom’s mobile phone signal to a boarding house in Mae Faek, San Sai district, where they found the suspicious male customer. Identified as Natthaphon, a 41 year old private courier driver, he managed to flee the scene, leaving only his girlfriend’s Yaris vehicle behind. The police seized the car as part of their ongoing investigations.

Today, a white Toyota pickup truck, thought to belong to Natthaphon, was discovered abandoned in the vicinity of a temple in the Doi Saket district. Upon inspection, the police found three motorcycles concealed within the enclosed rear compartment, though there was no sign of the suspect. Preliminary information suggests that Natthaphon left the vehicle at the temple on April 29, and his girlfriend collected him in her Yaris near the aforementioned boarding house.

At around 3pm yesterday, April 30, the investigative officers were able to apprehend Natthaphon near Pratu Thapae in Chiang Mai city centre. He had parked his motorcycle near Tha Pae Gate before being spotted and recognised by a local who had seen him in the news. The witness alerted the police, who were able to arrest the suspect and detain him for further questioning regarding the disappearance of the car salesperson.

Meanwhile, the examination of the girlfriend’s Yaris has uncovered numerous suspicious items, including a hammer, cable ties, used condoms, a plastic bag commonly used in hotels for laundry, and a bloodstained pair of glasses similar to those belonging to Aom. Aom’s daughter was able to confirm that the glasses belonged to her mother, leading to the speculation that there may have been an attempted rape and/or murder. However, investigators are currently working to verify these claims and scrutinise the evidence.

The case of the missing car salesperson has garnered widespread attention, and numerous possible leads are being followed up on. With the suspect now in custody, the police are working to uncover the truth behind her disappearance and the suspicious circumstances surrounding it.