UPDATE: Suspect Arrested after Murdering Tour Guide, Confesses to Robbery as Motivation

Phuket-

Police have arrested a 43-year-old man in connection with the shocking murder of a female tour guide whose body was discovered inside a parked car in Phuket. The victim, a respected member of the Andaman Tour Guide Association, was found dead in a bronze Nissan Sunny bearing Phuket license plate 5311.

Our previous story:

The search for a missing Andaman tour guide ended in tragedy this evening when police discovered the body of Ms. Orathai Auyapong, a prominent figure in the local tourism industry, inside her car in a residential area of Phuket.

Now for the update:

The arrest was made at the Bang Khu intersection in Phuket, where officers from Muang Phuket Police Station and the Provincial Investigation Division intercepted the suspect as he attempted to drive back to his home in Phang Nga province.

According to police, the man confessed to robbing the victim before abandoning her body in the vehicle in an effort to evade capture. Investigators believe the motive was theft, and the suspect had planned to flee the area immediately after the crime.

The case has sent shockwaves through the local tourism community, where the victim was known not only for her professionalism but also for her leadership role in promoting sustainable tourism in the region.

Authorities are continuing their investigation and preparing to press formal charges. The incident has reignited concerns over personal safety and crime prevention in Phuket, a province heavily reliant on tourism.