A man who previously served a prison sentence for attempted murder has been arrested for repeatedly stabbing to death a 19-year-old woman in an apartment room in Nonthaburi province.
Prapaporn Worawong from Udon Thani, an employee at a beauty shop in a department store, was found dead by a co-worker in her apartment in tambon Bang Rak Pattana of Bang Bua Thong district on Monday morning.
Prapaporn had been stabbed at least 20 times. The police quickly checked security camera footage from the building and surrounding areas and arrested Thirapong Aditsorn, 29. He lived in a condominium across the road.
Police seized a knife allegedly used in the murder and the clothing he wore that day as evidence, along with the victim's mobile phone, which they also found in his possession.
Thirapong confessed to committing the crime, admitting he'd had a crush on Prapaporn for some time, police told a news briefing on Tuesday. He sneaked into her room on Sunday night when she was not there, and waited in the bathroom. (continues below)
When Prapaporn arrived home, lay down on her bed and began using her mobile phone Thirapong emerged from the bathroom and began harassing her. She fought him off, so he stabbed her with the knife.
Prapaporn did not die straight away, he said, so he stabbed her again and again until he was sure she was dead. Then he searched her room and stole some things.
Thirapong was charged with first-degree murder.
Pol Lt Gen Charnthep Sesavet, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, said Thirapong had earlier been convicted and sentenced to 33 years in prison for attempted murder. He served nine years and had been released. He also had a record of using drugs.
Prapaporn's mother Rien Worarong, 53, went into a state of shock when she learned the fate of her daughter. Her father travelled to Bangkok and was taking her body back to their home in tambon Kud Mak Fai of Nong Wua So district of Udon Thani on Tuesday evening.
Mrs Rien told reporters Prapaporn was a good daughter. She had wanted to continue her education after finishing high school but the family could not support her, so she had obtained work in Bangkok in April last year. She earned 15,000-16,000 baht a month and sent money to parents every month.
Prapaporn had talked to her mother every day. Their last conversation was on Sunday night.
