Police take DNA samples in karaoke waitress rape, murder case

PHUKET: Police investigating the rape and murder of a karaoke waitress in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, are collecting DNA samples from suspects in the hope of identifying the woman’s killer or killers.

The manhunt began on Sunday after the body of Ploipailin Ketkeaw, 26, was found in a palm plantation just 300 meters from the Tiew Phai karaoke, where she worked with her aunt.

Ms Ploipailin’s body showed signs of violence indicating she had been raped and strangled (story here).

“At the moment, we don’t have a prime suspect,” said Lt Pissanu Thaharn of the Thung Ka Ngok Police.

“However, we believe that the perpetrator is someone who is familiar with the area, so we have narrowed down our search to nearby residents, and locals who frequent the karaoke.”

Officers interviewed 20 suspects on Monday, and began collecting DNA samples on Tuesday.

“We collected DNA samples from two people on Tuesday, and we will collect DNA samples from three other men who were at the karaoke the night Ms Ploipailin was last seen alive,” Lt Pissanu told the Phuket Gazette.

The DNA samples are to be sent to experts to see if they match samples collected at the scene of the crime, he explained.

“We have yet to decide if we will send the samples to the Forensic Medicine Institute at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok or to the forensic lab at the Region 8 Police headquarters in Surat Thani,” said Lt Pissanu.

“In the meantime, we will continue our investigation and collect more DNA samples in the hope of finding a match.”

— Khumpee Prasertphol