"The suspect was former border patrol policeman he might arm with weapons and would not simply surrender. If he fought back with fierce fighting, police could react with drastic measures," said Jongrak during yesterday press conference at the Office of National Police.

Phakanai was suspected killing Sukanda Mekloy, 27, as he drove her to deposit money at a Siam Commercial Bank branch in Prawet district on Monday. Sukanda disappeared together with around Bt500,000 in local and foreign currencies. Phakanai then reported to the police about the disappearance of Sukanda, he, however, was freed by the police.

Sukanda's body was found on Friday in an isolated weedy pond in a small alley in Soi 7 off Chalerm Phra Kiat Road, not far from the bank. Jongrak said the autopsy report found that she died from suffocation.

"The suspect's behaviour was cruel act, assaulted her until unconscious then dumped into a pound. We don't know the victim died before of after she was thrown into the weedy pound. It would be a torturous death if she still alive while being dumped into the weedy pound," he said.

The warrant charged Phakanai with three serious charges; premeditated murder, robbery and hide a death body. Jongrak said the highest punishment Phalanai might be served is death penalty.

However, police had yet to investigate fingerprints, hair and bloodstain left in a car Phakanai drove Sukanda to the bank.

Sukanda's body was brought for Muslim funeral yesterday by her family. Her father Ratchada asked the suspect to surrender. Ratchada said once he met the suspect as he went get Sukanda home and she introduced Phakanai to him.

"She referred to him as uncle. I can't believe he did this to her. His daughter is the same age as mine, if someone did the same thing to his daughter, what should he do?" he said.

Ratchada also criticised the police who freed Phakanai without investigating him.

The Nation