Thai police said a Chinese woman reported missing in Pattaya was later found dead in Ratchaburi province, and investigators have identified a Chinese man seen with her shortly before her disappearance.
Police identified the woman as 34-year-old Ji Cherngchao, who had worked as a party entertainer at a pool villa in Pattaya where several Chinese nationals were staying.
Her boyfriend, 31-year-old Zhang Xiaotian, reported her missing to Nong Prue Police Station on Feb. 23 after a friend received a message from Ji reading “Help” at about 6:37 a.m. on Feb. 21, according to police statements.
Investigators said CCTV footage from the villa showed Ji leaving the residence unconscious with a Chinese man.
The footage later shows the man placing her in a car and driving out of Pattaya toward Ratchaburi province, police said.
Authorities were later alerted after local residents discovered a woman’s body in a ditch in a coconut plantation in Bang Phae district of Ratchaburi. Officers confirmed the body was Ji Cherngchao, police said.
Police said the body is undergoing an autopsy to determine the cause of death, including whether physical assault or intoxicants were involved.
Investigators said they have identified the Chinese man seen in the CCTV footage and plan to summon him for questioning.
Zhang urged Thai authorities to complete the investigation quickly, saying Chinese media had reported the case and public attention in China had increased, according to his statement.
