PUBLISHED: 16 Feb 2025 at 18:48
Authorities have initiated a manhunt for a Chinese national believed to be linked to the death of a 22-year-old Thai woman at a hotel in Bangkok’s Bang Kapi district.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has been instructed to accelerate the investigation into the suspicious death of the woman, identified as “Airada”.
Initial findings suggest Airada was hired by a modelling agency to entertain a Chinese client, known only as “Duoying”, with indications that the models are sometimes expected to use drugs during their engagements.
CCTV footage shows the suspect checking into the hotel at 11:16 PM on February 9. Airada entered his room at 2:52 AM. By 6:16 AM, the suspect left the room without her, and no other individuals were recorded entering or exiting during that time.
A few hours later, hotel staff discovered Airada’s lifeless body and promptly notified local police. Initial investigations revealed no obvious signs of injury or struggle.
The MPB has vowed to ensure a thorough investigation and deliver justice for the family, with any officers found to be obstructing the investigation facing severe repercussions, according to police officials.
Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and conducted forensic examinations at the scene. The owner of the modelling agency is also set to be questioned.
Compensation Controversy
Police are pursuing charges of reckless endangerment causing death against the suspect, actively searching for him while alerting border authorities to his potential escape routes.
A friend of the deceased stated that Airada had never engaged in substance use or modeling jobs. This sentiment was reinforced by her sister, who claimed attempts were made to persuade the family to abandon the case in exchange for financial reimbursement.
The sister reported that an agent from the modelling agency approached them multiple times, initially offering 100,000 baht for funeral costs and later increasing the sum to 200,000 baht, which the family rejected.
Subsequently, a man posing as a police officer contacted them with a 500,000-baht compensation offer. Concerned about the integrity of the investigation, the sister decided to bring the matter to public attention.
