‘Drug dealer admits killing Brit teen, 16,’ whose body was dumped in Thai forest after cops find boy’s phone and wallet
A BRIT teenager whose body was found dumped in a forest was killed by a drug dealer, police have said.
The wallet and phone of Woramet Ben Taota, 16, were also found in the forest in Thailand and police have now arrested 44-year-old Chaiwat Boongarin.
He has claimed Ben and his girlfriend Suraphltchaya Khamsa, 16, were allegedly caught up in his drug dealing activities.
Chaiwat, who police say has previous convictions for sex crimes, allegedly lured Ben to a forest and then battered him to death before Suraphltchaya fled and has not been seen since.
Ben, who has a British father and Thai mother, was found dead on May 7 with a deep wound on his head and cuts across his face.
Haunting footage shows the final sighting of Ben before he was found dead in a forest in Thailand.
Officers found Ben’s girlfriend Yam, 16, and are still searching for a second girl he was romantically involved with.
Chaiwat is now being remanded in custody in the Mae Tha district.
Officers are expected to take him to the scene where Ben was found later today.
Police Major General Mongkol Sampawapol, commander of Lampang Provincial Police, said the alleged killer and Woramet were involved in a dispute over drugs.
Police officers from the Mae Tha district said they received a report on Sunday morning that the teenager, known to friends as Ben, had been found dead in a grove in the Ban Than district.
Officers found in his black shoulder bag a smartphone charger and a red wallet containing his ID card and bank card.
His smartphone and cash were missing, with police suggesting he could have been robbed for the gadget and money.
Police believe Ben was killed elsewhere and dumped in the woods, as there were no signs of struggle where his remains were found.
They said he had head injuries consistent with severe trauma.
They began searching for Ben’s girlfriend along with the female he was involved with before later arresting Chaiwat at his nearby home.
Police said the suspect had been released from prison around eight months ago following previous convictions for sex crimes.
They claimed that Chaiwat was seen riding his black Honda Wave motorcycle without a license plate on May 6 at around 9pm.
Officers say it was parked it at his relative’s house with a young woman they believe is Ben’s girlfriend, Suraphltchaya.
The motorcycle was found by officers this morning, May 9, behind a cow shed close to the home.
Police Major General Mongkol Sampawapol said: “The suspect told his relative that he wanted to leave his motorcycle at their house.
“He told them that he was looking for a rental house for his mistress. He then left the house with another motorcycle and returned the next morning.
“After that, he rode the black Honda Wave and left it near the hut before officers found it on May 9.
“We are still searching for the young woman and believe that she is still safe.”
Officers interviewed Ben’s mother, Ooy Taota, who is understood to be separated from Ben’s British father, a businessman specialising in thatched roofs who now lives back in the United Kingdom.
Ooy told police that her son had said goodbye to her on Saturday evening and said he was ‘going to work with friends’ but he did not give any more details to her.
She was pictured today breaking down in tears as she visited the spot where Ben was found dead.