Wittawat Pantharat, 51, from Wichit, turned himself in to Border Patrol Police Unit 427 in Thung Song in the early hours of Friday (Apr 24), after an arrest warrant was issued in relation to the death of Kimyong Saisanasin.
Investigators from Mueang Nakhon Sri Thammarat Police Station subsequently took him into custody, with Pol Col Chakkawat Boonthaveekulsawat, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Sri Thammarat Provincial Police, overseeing initial questioning.
Ms Kimyong, 31, from Ratsada, Phuket, was found dead in a room at the Nuan Khon Hotel in Tha Sak subdistrict at about 9:10pm on Apr 22. An initial examination revealed injuries consistent with suffocation caused by pressure to the mouth and nose. The case has been classified as assault resulting in death.
Police identified Wittawat as the prime suspect after CCTV footage showed him leaving the hotel alone shortly before the body was discovered.
According to Thai media reports, Wittawat, a local snooker player known as ‘Sian Kluay’, admitted he is the person named in the warrant but denied murder.
He told police the incident followed a physical altercation that left her motionless. He claimed he alerted hotel staff to call an ambulance before fleeing “in shock”.
He later contacted his daughter and decided to surrender, saying he could not remain on the run.
Reports have suggested jealousy may have been a motive, with the pair arranging to meet at the hotel to resolve personal issues.
Wittawat remains in custody and is expected to face legal proceedings as the investigation continues.