Two of the defendants, Priyanuch Nonwangchai and Kawita Rachada, denied the charge of premeditated murder.

Priyanuch (L) and Kawita (R)

However, they admitted to physically assaulting Warisara Klinjui and hiding her body after the assault proved fatal.

The body of Warisara, 23, a former colleague of the suspects at a karaoke bar in Khon Kaen province, was found in May cut into two pieces.

A police investigation into the death suggested that Priyanuch and her accomplices had cut up the body – the first recorded case of dismemberment in Thailand involving female suspects.

The three other defendants linked to the case are Apiwan Satayabundit, Wasin Namprom and Jidarat Promkhun. All the defendants except Jidarat were arraigned on charges of premeditated murder; colluding to destroy, move and hide their victim’s body; detaining their victim; theft; and carrying arms in public places.

Jidarat has been charged only with theft because she was not present at the murder scene. She denies the charge.

Jidarat

When the defendants arrived at court, they greeted their lawyers with smiles.

In the courtroom, Apiwan and Wasin admitted to moving, destroying and hiding the victim’s body. Apiwan also confessed to having abused drugs. She is the only defendant to face an additional charge of drug abuse because she tested positive to a drug test upon arrest.

Jidarat’s lawyer, Tananchai Wongsai, has submitted a bail request, while public prosecutors have objected to bail for Apiwan, Wasin, Priyanuch and Kawita.

Defence lawyers and public prosecutors will submit evidence and witness lists to the court on September 19.

Apiwan’s father Somsak Satayabandhit appeared at court to express moral support for his daughter.

He said Apiwan had not killed Warisara because the two had never had a conflict.

“It’s just that she was with some other defendants at the time the crime took place,” Somsak said.

He said he believed that following the crime, his daughter might have felt uncomfortable about running away all alone.

“That’s why she ended up digging the hole to hide the victim’s body. She has admitted her wrongdoing on this part,” Somsak said.

After the crime, Apiwan fled to Myanmar with Kawita and Priyanuch, and the three surrendered to Myanmar authorities several days later after the manhunt intensified.