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Thailand police seeking China tourist, 37, following death of Thai model, 21, in Bangkok
The family of the deceased were apparently offered up to 500,000 baht (S$20,000) to not pursue the case further.
Belmont Lay
February 17, 2025, 11:34 AM
Police in Thailand have launched a manhunt for a Chinese national following the death of a 21-year-old Thai woman at a hotel in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district.
The woman, believed to be a model, was identified as Airada, Bangkok Post reported.
She was reportedly hired through a modelling agency to entertain a Chinese client, identified only as Douying, supposedly a 37-year-old man.
Police learned that the agency's models were purportedly often expected to take drugs during their time with clients, Bangkok Post added.
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What happened
The incident occurred on Monday, Feb. 10 when hotel staff found an unresponsive woman at around 7:10am, The Standard reported.
The woman had checked in with a Chinese national at 11:16pm the night before.
The woman, later confirmed to be deceased, was found unclothed with no visible signs of physical trauma.
Khaosod reported that immigration records showed Douying had entered Thailand on a tourist visa, valid until July 2025.
CCTV footage showed he was the only person to have entered and exited the hotel room.
Immigration police have since been notified to locate him for questioning.
Controversies surrounding case
The case has been plagued by controversy as reports have emerged suggesting interference in investigations.
The modelling agency had allegedly attempted to offer the victim’s family 100,000 baht (S$4,000) to prevent police involvement, Khaosod also reported.
Bangkok Post added that the deceased's sister was contacted on several occasions and told the Chinese client was willing to pay, and the offer was increase to 200,000 baht (S$8,000), which the family rejected.
The deceased's sister also said that after this, someone claiming to be a police officer contacted the family and urged them to accept an increased compensation offer of 500,000 baht (S$20,000).
On Feb. 13, after the family failed to get compensation, they had to borrow money to hold a modest one-day funeral ceremony in Bangkok.
On Feb. 16, the deceased woman's mother and sister travelled from another province to meet with investigators and were allegedly told that the victim had purportedly used drugs, citing four unnamed witnesses.
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Toxicology results would take 45 days to process, an officer also told the family.
Allegedly told to accept compensation
The family alleged they were then told to choose between two paths forward.
They could settle the case and get back Airada’s belongings and a compensation.
Alternatively, they could seek legal recourse and stand an 80 per cent chance of losing, an odds that was presented to them by an officer.
The family allegedly then learned of ties between the modelling agency and investigators, Khaosod also reported.
The family has yet to receive any compensation as of Feb. 16.
The police, in response to criticisms, were apparently announcing they have obtained a court-approved arrest warrant for the Chinese national
