Police have launched a manhunt for a South African man for allegedly killing a Thai woman whose body was found in a Bangkok hotel on Sunday.
The suspect was identified as Mzwakhe Memela, 38.
Police said Memela was seen in security camera footage leaving the room of Susama Ruenrit, 35, from Kanchanaburi, on Sunday morning. Her lifeless body was later found by staff in room on the sixth floor of a hotel on Soi Lat Phrao 130.
Hotel receptionist Payu Srikhung said he and other staff checked the room at noon Sunday after Susama failed to pay the room rent.
Susama did not answer the door so Payu used a spare key and found the body wrapped in a sheet. She had been hit on the head.
Police said Susama checked into the hotel at 9.50pm on Saturday before going out and returning at 4am.
The security cameras show Memela entering her room at 8am Sunday and leaving at 8.45. He is seen walking backwards to the elevator while staring at Susama’s room.
Police suspect that Memela went to the room to cut a deal involving jewellery but when negotiations went wrong, he struck and killed her.
