Manhunt begins after karaoke waitress raped, murdered

PHUKET: Police have yet to establish any leads for the rape and murder of a karaoke waitress whose body was found in a palm grove north of Phang Nga Town yesterday.

Officers brought in 20 suspects for questioning today, but made no progress in the case.

“We are focusing our investigation on local people,” said Lt Pissanu Thaharn of the Thung Kha Ngok Police. “We believe the killer – or killers – know the area well. The grove where the body was found is hard to get to, and not likely to be known by people unfamiliar with the area.”

Officers yesterday rushed to the scene, a plantation at Baan Kong Si, after a local resident found the body of Ploipailin Ketkeaw, 26, at about 10am.

“Her body was found about 300 meters from the Tiew Phai karaoke restaurant, where she worked,” said Lt Pissanu.

“Her brazier had been pulled across to her right shoulder and her underwear had been pulled down to her ankles.

“We believe she was strangled. There were bruises around her neck and lips, and other evidence indicating that she had been raped.”

Officers also found a black t-shirt, a pair of black shorts and one shoe, all believed to have been worn by Ms Ploipailin.

The owner of the Tiew Phai karaoke, 45-year-old Janpen Seangnuan, told police that Ms Ploipailin was her niece, and that she came from Nong Khai to help at the venue.

“Ms Janpen told us that the last time she saw Ms Ploipailin was when she closed the venue at 00:30am on January 3,” said Lt Pissanu.

“After the venue closed, the staff went back to their rooms. However, one employee saw Ms Ploipailin drinking with a man sitting outside the karaoke.

“That was the last time Ms Ploipailin was seen.”

Ms Ploipailin’s body was taken to Phang Nga Hospital for confirmation of the cause of death.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong