Crime
25 Year-old Briton Arrested for Death of Pattaya Bar Worker
PATTAYA – Police on Sunday (Jan 7 ) arrested a British man after suspecting he was responsible for the death of a Thai woman falling to her death from the fifth floor of a condominium in Pattaya on Saturday.
Mr Reece Blain Vella, 25, was arrested at a bar in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district. He was charged with recklessness causing death.
According to police investigation, Mr Vella was the last person who stayed with Kannikar Chanhuathon, 26.
Kannikar, nickname Joy, had moved from her home town in Sakon Nakhon province, and was working at Sky Bar in the city’s bustling Soi 6, was found lying in a pool of blood at the condominium compound in early hours of Saturday.
Thai police said that Vella arrived at the venue earlier in the evening before agreeing a fee of around £35 (1,500 baht) then leaving with Wannipa and going to a room at the nearby Cosy Beach View condominium block.
Police claim that the pair had been having what translates as “fancy or extravagant” sex on the balcony before Wannipa fell to her death – along with a packet of Kamagra oral jelly (Generic Viagra) which was found next to her body at around 5.30am local time.
Paramedics arrived and performed CPR on Wannipa – who was still alive – but she was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, died after falling from the apartment balcony
Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch, superintendent of Muang Pattaya police station, said the suspect told the police that he had sex with Joy on the condominium’s balcony and she accidentally plunged to her death.
Devastated staff at the venue, whose owner also passed away a few months ago, said Wannipa was one of the “happiest, friendliest girls anybody could wish to meet”.
They added in a statement: “As many of you know we lost our beautiful Joy [on Saturday] morning.
“The place will not be the same without Joy’s big cheeky smile and sense of humour.
“She really was a very special girl and left a lasting impression on all of us. She will remain in our hearts forever.”
Source: Thai PBS, The Sun
