BANGKOK, THAILAND – A foul smell in a Bangkok housing block led to the discovery of a 19-year-old woman’s body and the arrest of her boyfriend, who allegedly lived with the corpse for 17 days.
Stench in social housing block prompted police call
Residents of the Eua-Athorn building in Bang Khen had noticed a putrid odor for days. On 1 December at about 3:30 p.m., they finally alerted a friend of the victim’s father. The 56-year-old father, Saiyont Sawatdech, who had not seen his daughter “Yi” (Airin) for two to three weeks, rushed to the building.
Police discover body and free suspect’s mother
When police arrived around 4 p.m., the victim’s 34-year-old boyfriend, Thanathan, opened the door. Officers found the young woman’s body lying naked inside the apartment, with drug-use paraphernalia nearby. In a separate room, they freed the suspect’s mother, who had been locked up and held by her own son.
Alleged confession and attempts to hide the smell
During questioning, the man broke down and allegedly admitted he had beaten his girlfriend to death on 15 November. To mask the odor, he reportedly covered the body with grill charcoal and then continued living in the flat. Forensic specialists were tasked with determining the precise cause of death.
Father says he repeatedly warned daughter
Saiyont was devastated and told officers he had long been alarmed about the relationship and drug use.
“I kept warning her about him and his drugs,”
said Saiyont, the victim’s father. The last time he saw his daughter was in mid-October; a younger sibling had assumed she was staying with friends.
Earlier assault reported but relationship continued
According to the account given to police, the violence was not an isolated incident. In August, the suspect had allegedly hit the young woman with a metal rod on a takraw field and dragged her more than 50 meters back to his apartment. The father reported that attack, and police advised obtaining a medical report for formal charges, but before they went to the doctor, the man apologized and the daughter returned to him.
Call for full force of the law
The truth only emerged when the disturbing smell finally led neighbors to act.
“He must feel the full force of the law and be prevented from ever harming anyone again,”
said Saiyont, calling for accountability. Police charged the suspect with murder and sent him to Min Buri Court for pre-trial detention.
Shock and unanswered questions for residents
The discovery deeply shocked residents of the social housing block, where the couple had not previously drawn attention. Neighbors were horrified that a body had lain behind a nearby door for more than two weeks while the alleged killer continued his daily life. The case raised painful questions about domestic violence, missed warning signs and how potential victims could be better protected after repeated reports of abuse.