Chiang Rai’s Immigration police commander Pol Colonel Ekkorn Bussababordin said a border pass for Myanmar would remain valid for seven days. “It seems that the passes of Priyanuch Nongwangchai and Kawita Rachada, who face arrest warrants for killing Warisara Klinjui, are going to expire, resulting in them returning to Thai soil.

“If they overstay the permit, Myanmar authorities can arrest them immediately without having to consult with their Thai counterparts,” he said.

Warisara’s body, which had been cut in half to fit into two buckets, was found buried in a field in Khon Kaen’s Khao Suan Kwang district last week.

Police have issued arrest warrants for Priyanuch, 24, Kawita, 26, Wasin Namprom, 22, and Jidarat Phromkhun, 21, for allegedly being involved in killing Warisara and dismembering her body.

Khon Kaen police have also sought an arrest warrant for Apiwan Satayabundit who is believed to have entered Myanmar in the same vehicle as two of the suspects.

The suspects are believed to be working at an entertainment venue in Tachilek town, which is about six kilometres from the border.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Jidarat applied for her release on bail after she told police yesterday that she had nothing to do with the killing.

Jidarat told Khao Suan Kwang police deputy superintendent Pol Lt-Colonel Supakrit Suwanrat yesterday morning that she was in Bangkok when the crime took place, although she admitted that the other suspects had travelled to see her.

A police source said Jidarat might be allowed out on bail because the investigation had not indicated that she was involved in the killing and she had given useful information in the case.

Police have also indicated that Warisara might have provided information to authorities about a drugs case that contributed to one of the other women’s boyfriends going to jail, which could have been a motive in the killing. Wasin and Jidarat are already in custody and Wasin has been taken for a re-enactment at the crime scene at a resort in Khon Kaen.

He reportedly admitted to being at the site but denied involvement in the killing and dismemberment.