BRUSSELS – A 24-year-old Belgian man has been arrested in Thailand in connection with the fatal stabbing of his Thai ex-girlfriend, it was reported Monday.

The suspect, Sam Van Treeck, was arrested on Sunday at his seaside residence in Pattya, about 100 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, in connection with the murder of his 23-year-old Thai ex-girlfriend.

Van Treeck has lived for four years in Thailand, where he has worked occasionally as a translator for tour operators.

Van Treeck denied killing the victim, Chompoonut Koyram, who died of multiple stab wounds at her condominium in Pattaya Sunday.

Van Treeck had been Chompoonut’s first boyfriend and after they broke up the scuba diving instructor married a French man with whom she had a baby girl.

The victim’s mother, Sa-nga Phanbuatong, said she believes the jealous ex-boyfriend killed her daughter.

Police said they plan to take Treeck to the condominium – where police discovered the victim’s body with some 20 stab wounds – for a reconstruction of the alleged crime.

Meanwhile, Chompoonut’s body has been sent for autopsy.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject : Belgian news