‘Romantic conflicts’ suspected in murder of Chinese woman
A 28 year old Chinese woman, found dead at the Ton Nga Chang waterfall in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district on September 20, is suspected to have been murdered by a male compatriot and two accomplices. This revelation from the Deputy Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Maj-General Surachate Hakparn today.
Police suspect a romantic conflict as a motive for the murder of Tien Lei.
The prime suspect, a Chinese man Hai Long Zhao, is already in police custody following questioning over the tourist’s death and his visa had been revoked, said Surachate. He also said that investigation has found the involvement of more than one person in the crime. Police have contacted the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok for additional information about the victim.
So far, police have identified another suspect who has returned from Thailand to China. Police were gathering more evidence to proceed with legal action against Hai Long Zhao within the next two weeks.
An autopsy had previously ruled out the possibility of the victim drowning from an accidental fall at the popular waterfalls. Traces of injuries were found around the eyes and head of the deceased, which were unlikely to have been caused by a fall.
Surachate says forensic evidence suggests she was very likely dead before her body was found in the water.
