Four teams of police including those from Hat Yai, Narcotics Suppression, Khlong Hoi Khong and Crime Suppression Division were working on the case.

Persons of interest include the victim’s girlfriend and friends. Authorities were also checking phone records and footage from CCTV cameras along the route on the day of the murder.

Peeranat’s remains were found on Wednesday morning in a water drainage pipe in Bang Bung Chai Moo 4 of Tambon Kuan Lang in Hat Yai. He had been missing since April 26 and his family filed a missing person complaint on May 1.

Peeranat’s mother Meena and elder brother Chitnupong reportedly confirmed that the body, found submerged in a large roadside pipe three kilometres from his home, was Peeranat based on clothing that he wore and other personal items found at the scene.

The remains were sent to Hat Yai Hospital for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Local residents alerted police after they looked into the source of a foul smell and found human bones under coconut leaves and some tyres.

Police suspected the victim was killed by at least two persons on April 26 and the body was stuffed into the pipe. Recent heavy rains apparently pushed the body into the open.

Hat Yai deputy superintendent Pol Lt Colonel Thanawat Sengsui said the culprits seemed to have planned to abduct and kill the victim. He said the tyres had been arranged to burn the body to conceal the crime but they seemed to change their minds and stuff his body in the pipe instead.

A motorbike disposed of in Khlong hoi Khong might be in attempt to divert police attention from the victim’s local area, the officer added.

Peeranat’s Honda Wave motorcycle was found on May 20 in Khlong Hoi Khong district.

Police have questioned drug suspect Wirat Kaewthongpan over the disappearance of Peeranat. Authorities say he had been involved in drugs but later distanced himself and worked as police informant. Wirat maintained his innocence.