A team of 50 police led by the deputy head of Provincial Police Region 4, Pol Mjr-General Jatupol Panraksa, enforced an arrest warrant against Ban Si Than village head Krittidech Rawengwan, who was in the process of taking villagers to register for the military draft at the district office before being taken into custody.

Krittidech faces charges of murder and attempted rape.

On December 23, the 18-year-old was on Ban Si Than-Ban Noen Muang Road going back to her home when an attacker kicked her motorcycle to the ground and dragged her to roadside ditch in an apparent rape attempt.

The girl fought off her attacker but later died from her injuries.

The police offered a Bt400,000 reward to anyone providing information leading to the culprit’s arrest.

Although Krittidech denied the charges, deputy national police chief Pol General Chalermkiat Sriworakhan said investigators had found a human bite mark on the suspect’s finger and evidence linking him to the victim’s motorbike.

Kalasin Governor Winai Wittayanukul later yesterday ordered that Krittidech be suspended from work immediately as a district chief launches a disciplinary probe against him.