Unsolved Murder Case of Japanese Woman in Sukhothai Reopens with New Leads

Nineteen years after the brutal murder of a 27-year-old Japanese woman, Tomoko Kawashita, at a historic temple in Sukhothai, Thai investigators have identified a 53- to 58-year-old European tourist who may hold crucial information regarding the case. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is seeking the cooperation of the man, believed to be French, who was present at the scene on the day of the murder. The case remains unsolved, with no DNA matches found among 379 Thai men in the area.

Key Takeaways:

• The victim, Tomoko Kawashita, was found dead at Saphan Hin Temple in Sukhothai on November 25, 2007, with a fatal wound to her throat and missing belongings.
• Initial investigations focused on a Japanese man close to the victim, who refused to cooperate and left Thailand the day after the murder.
• Thai forensics collected DNA samples from 379 Thai men, none of which matched the evidence.
• The DSI later took over the case, offering a 2 million baht reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
• Investigations identified the European tourist as being between 35 and 40 years old at the time of the murder, making him approximately 53 to 58 years old today.
• The man was described as wearing a black T-shirt and black nylon shorts, having pale skin, an oval face, dark brown or black eyes, and a black beard.
• Witnesses reported that he spoke English with a French accent and rented a black and blue Honda Click motorcycle from a Coffee Club store in central Sukhothai on the day of the murder.
• The man and his European girlfriend were believed to have left Sukhothai for Chiang Mai on November 25 or 26, 2007.

Statistics:

• 18 years since the murder of Tomoko Kawashita
• 379 DNA samples collected from Thai men in the area
• 2 million baht reward offered by the DSI for information leading to the arrest of the suspect
• 53- to 58-year-old European tourist identified as a potential key witness
• The man and his girlfriend were believed to have stayed at the Old City Guesthouse in Sukhothai

Sources:

• Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Facebook page
• Thai news publication, ThaiRath