A Swiss man confesses to murdering his wife in Thailand

A Swiss expatriate has been arrested for the murder of his Thai wife in Nakhon Ratchasima in northeastern Thailand.

The 53-year-old man confessed to strangling his wife to death during a violent argument, then throwing her body into a cornfield about 6 km from their home in Nakhon Ratchasima province (also known as Korat).

Police said Mr. Roland had admitted to killing his wife in a fit of rage following a heated argument.

Orathai Posee-ngarm, 46, had been missing since January 8, 2024, from her home in Nakhon Ratchasima, and her Swiss husband, Roland, had informed authorities that she had fled following a dispute.

Many questions had been raised following her disappearance, as she had inherited more than 13 million baht ($339,523) from her first Swiss husband, who died in 2021.

She then married Roland, another Swiss national and former train driver, and the couple settled in Nakhon Ratchasima about two years ago.

Mrs Orathai Posee-ngarm

Roland was taken to the police station on January 29 for questioning after police discovered several inconsistencies, including his statement to his wife's sister that she had probably run away, but had taken neither her shoes nor any belongings.

The police had then seized Mr. Roland's passport as part of the ongoing investigation into the abduction of his wife.

Mr. Roland stated that he was not involved in his wife's disappearance and was mainly concerned about when she would return.

But after hours of questioning, he admitted to strangling her during an argument.

He told police that he had transported his wife's body on his motorcycle and had gone to a cornfield located about six kilometers from their home.

The police then escorted Mr. Roland to where the deceased's body was located to examine it.

Previously, Roland had behaved suspiciously, staying at home and not participating in the search.

He only left his house to buy coffee, eat, or respond to police calls.

He had also refused to speak to the media.

On January 28, the Khaosod newspaper reported that the police had searched the couple's house and sent a team of divers from the Phuttham 31 Foundation to Nakhon Ratchasima to search for Orathai in a pond near the village temple.

He did not present himself to participate in the search with his relatives and the rescue team that was looking for her in several places.

Chai Tawanmai, a radio DJ and one of Roland's closest friends, spoke with him about the situation.

Roland informed Chai that he was worried because many people in the region believed he was involved in his wife's disappearance.

"Roland told me that he had reprimanded his wife because she gambled and may have fled from people she owed money to.

He said he didn't know where to look for her because he didn't know anyone", explained Chai Tawanmai.

Roland, the Swiss husband of Orathai Posee-ngarm, at Nakhon Ratchasima police station. Photo: Khaosod

The police verified Mrs. Orathai's bank account and determined that funds had been transferred to Mr. Roland's account at 10 p.m. on January 8.

Mrs. Orathai's sister last saw her with less than 2,000 bahts in her account.

Mr. Roland informed the authorities that Mrs. Orathai had directly transferred the sum to him via a banking application to repay a loan.

The police are waiting for the results of the verification by the bank before gathering all relevant information as evidence and establishing the guidelines for the investigation.

Source: Chiang Rai Times