Nong Som killer forensic test results “imminent’: Police

PHUKET: Phuket Police expect in the coming days to receive the results of forensic tests that will clear the way for bringing to trial the confessed killer of 17-year-old Sunisa “Nong Som” Saiyoy.

Nong Som’s parents returned from their fruit stall in Phuket Town on the night of July 10 to find their daughter dead in her bedroom at the family’s home in Chalong.

The next day, police arrested Kittikhun Wonghajak, who subsequently confessed to smothering Nong Som with a pillow to stop her from screaming. He continued smothering her until she lay motionless.

Kittikhun also confessed that he was high on methamphetamine when he entered Nong Som’s home to steal valuables.

However, as Kittikhun denied any intention to kill her, senior police officers investigating the crime said that forensic tests were required in order to confirm the cause of death and to confirm whether or not Kittikhun had sexually violated his victim.

Chalong Police Deputy Superintendent Witchakhom Khamjumpa told the Phuket Gazette today that a backlog of tests to be conducted at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital in Bangkok, where the Nong Som case samples were sent, had caused the delay.

“We last called [the institute in] Bangkok on September 15. We expect to receive the forensic test results any day now,” Lt Col Witchakhom told the Gazette.

“The case has been transferred to the Phuket Public Prosecutor. Now we are waiting only for the test results to be returned so the prosecutor can proceed with the case,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kittikhun remains in custody at Phuket Provincial Prison awaiting trial, Col Witchakhom said.

He has been charged with robbery resulting in the death of the victim, which is punishable by death.

— Chutharat Plerin