Police investigating killing of 21-year-old woman in Chiang Mai

2026-03-08 - 10:23

CHIANG MAI — 7 March 2026, Police in Chiang Mai are investigating the suspicious death of a 21-year-old woman whose body was found inside a house in a longan orchard in Hang Dong district, with investigators questioning several people close to the victim. The victim, Ms. Usa, also known as Praew, 21, was a waitress at a bar in Chiang Mai and originally from Wiang Haeng district. Police from Hang Dong Police Station began investigating after the woman’s body was discovered on the afternoon of 7 March inside a house in a longan orchard in Nam Phrae subdistrict, Hang Dong district, Chiang Mai. Authorities said the victim was found with her lower body unclothed and marks around her neck suggesting strangulation. Investigators believe she had been dead for about two days. Police said Praew had been out of contact with her family for about three days before the body was found. Relatives described her as well-behaved and said she usually returned home after work and had no known conflicts with anyone. Officers are reviewing nearby CCTV footage and awaiting autopsy results from the forensic department at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital to help identify the perpetrator. Relatives and residents at Hang Dong Police Station to follow up on the case. Family and villagers visit police station At 11:00 on 8 March, more than 100 relatives and residents from Wiang Haeng district travelled to Hang Dong Police Station to follow up on the case and offer moral support to investigators. The group also brought gift baskets for officers working on the investigation. Pol. Col. Chakrayut Chotiwachiraphong, superintendent of Hang Dong Police Station, received the group and assured the victim’s family that police were actively pursuing the case. Praew’s parents said they had already viewed their daughter’s body at the hospital’s forensic department. They said her face appeared swollen, with bruising around the eyes and lips, and marks on her neck that looked like they may have been caused by strangulation or possibly jewellery. The family said they were waiting for the official autopsy results. The victim’s parents said they did not know many details about their daughter’s life in Chiang Mai and urged police to arrest the perpetrator. “We want to know why someone would kill our daughter,” they said. Community leaders from Wiang Haeng district said about 300 villagers travelled to Chiang Mai, with some going to the hospital and others to the police station. They said the group did not intend to pressure police but wanted to show support for officers working to solve the case. Five people under investigation Investigators from Provincial Police Region 5, Chiang Mai provincial police, and local officers are currently examining five potential suspects. These include the victim’s current boyfriend, her former boyfriend, the owner of the land where she rented a house, and two other people believed to be close to the suspects. Police have already questioned the current boyfriend, identified as “Fai.” He told investigators he last met the victim on 3 March and that they had continued communicating through the Line messaging app afterward. He was released after questioning. Another individual questioned was the landowner of the rental property, identified as “Ah Wang,” whose testimony was said to be useful to the investigation. Police are also searching for the victim’s former boyfriend, identified as “James,” who they say previously assaulted the victim when they were still together, and officers are trying to locate him for questioning. Investigators are also questioning two additional people believed to have been near the scene. Police believe the crime scene may have been staged to mislead investigators and that the suspect likely knew the victim. Authorities noted that two mobile phones belonging to the victim are missing, while other valuables at the scene were left untouched. Pol. Col. Chakrayut said investigators are gathering evidence and awaiting forensic results before seeking arrest warrants. Maj. Gen. Yutthana Kaenchan, commander of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, said officers have identified potential suspects but will first ensure the evidence is clear before requesting arrest warrants.