Sirinya Sitthichai, secretary-general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said his agency found possible links between Priyanuch and a narcotics ring in Myanmar that smuggled drugs from the Golden Triangle to Thailand via Myanmar.

A check of Priyanuch’s criminal record showed she had previously been arrested for possession of drugs, Sirinya said, adding: “An extended investigation showed that she allegedly had contact with drug-smuggling networks that brought the drug from the Golden Triangle.”

An investigation is being carried out to confirm reports that Priyanuch worked with the ring either as a money collector or sales person.

Police have said Priyanuch and two others female suspects, who were subject to arrest warrants for allegedly killing 22-year-old karaoke bar singer Warisara Klinjui, fled to Myanmar via the Tachilek-Mae Sai checkpoint in Chiang Rai province last month. Kawita Rachada and Apiwan Satayabundit have also been named as suspects.

However, deputy regional police chief Maj-General Charoenwit Sriwanit insisted that no information received in the investigation suggested any connection between Priyanuch and the transnational drug gang.

She did not even have any link with the drug network in the northeastern region, Charoenwit said.

It is believed the three female fugitives are now with customers of a karaoke bar they worked for in Myanmar.

“After fleeing across the border, the three got work in the bar in Tachilek. Investigations showed that they went out with some customers and did not return to work. One of the customers was a fugitive under drug-related arrest warrant issued in Si Sa Ket province and Rangsit,” he said.

Charoenwit said that on Thurdsay, Priyanuch contacted her close friend via a message on Facebook.

Two other suspects; Jidarat Promkun and Wasin Namprom, are in police custody. Wasin claimed that Warisara killed and dismembered the victim following a feud over drugs.

Checks into Priyanuch’s assets indicated she did not own a car but had a house under construction, which was being built for her mother.

Possible motives of the killing may stem from reports that Warisara alerted police about the involvement of Priyanuch and her husband in drug gangs. Priyanuch’s husband is now in jail on drug charges.

Meanwhile, Priyanuch’s tearful mother Sakorn Pasee, 62, pleaded with her daughter to surrender to police.

She told reporters that Priyanuch grew up with her grandmother and returned to visit her from time to time. She confirmed her daughter had sent her money to build the house currently under construction.

Priyanuch graduated Grade 6 from school, married and had a son who is now eight, before going to work in Khon Kaen.