This afternoon, Khon Kaen Provincial Court sentenced Preeyanuch “Preaw” Nonwangchai to 34 years and six months in prison for the grisly murder and dismemberment of fellow karaoke bar hostess Warisara Klinjui, 22, in May 2017.
The 25-year-old, whom Thai media refers to by the nickname “Dismemberment Preaw,” was initially given life imprisonment, but the sentence was reduced due to her cooperation with the authorities, Daily News reported.
Her accomplice Kawita Rachada, 26, was given the same prison term, while Apiwan Sattayabundit, 29, was sentenced to 33 years and nine months in prison. The only man in the crew, 22-year-old Wasin Namprom, will serve 23 years, four months, and 22 days.
The woman who took the victim’s cell phone, Jidarat Promkhun, 22, will serve one year in prison for theft.
The five defendants will also have to compensate Warisara’s family THB1.07 million (US$33,300) with 7.5 percent interest rate.
Warisara’s body was found dismembered, stuffed into garbage bags, and buried in a shallow grave in a Khon Kaen resort on May 26, 2017.
READ: Bar girl murder suspects confess, Preaw says no intention of killing victim
According to police, Preeyanuch and her accomplices picked the victim up in a rented car at an intersection on Nadi Road, claiming they wanted to talk about a job offer. Preeyanuch claimed she initially had no intention to kill the victim and only wanted to “teach her a lesson.”
But as their arguments escalated, Preeyanuch “accidentally” strangled Warisara to death.
The motive was a personal conflict, after the victim tipped off police and led them to the arrest of Preeyanuch’s boyfriend on drugs charges.
After their arrest, the murderer and her accomplices became part of a subsequent media circus surrounding what was seen as favorable treatment by police, when photos surfaced on social media of them smiling, laughing and wearing facial masks while in police custody.
Related:
Bar girl murder suspects re-enact crime, probe launched into VIP treatment of trio
Bar girl murder suspects confess, Preaw says no intention of killing victim
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Dismembered Khon Kaen bar girl was police drug snitch, says one suspect
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