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June 25, 2025
''In a twist that seems straight out of a detective novel, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand is hot on the trail of a mysterious Frenchman who might just hold the key to unraveling a murder mystery that has perplexed authorities for nearly two decades. The case in question involves the tragic demise of Tomoko Kawashita, a bright young Japanese traveler whose life was brutally cut short against the backdrop of the enchanting ancient ruins of Sukhothai. On the fateful day of November 25, 2007, the serene atmosphere of the historic Saphan Hin Temple was marred by a crime most foul – Tomoko was found with a fatal neck wound, her personal belongings ominously absent.''
Fast forward to today, June 25, 2025, and the case sees a potential breakthrough. Fresh from their relentless sleuthing, the DSI has honed in on a European tourist – possibly French – who might just hold the linchpin to solving this 18-year-old mystery. Witnesses recall spotting this enigmatic traveler at Saphan Hin on the very day Tomoko’s life was taken. Imagine the scene as they describe a man in his stylish thirties or forties (now likely in his mid-fifties), donning a black T-shirt paired with black nylon shorts – a strikingly memorable ensemble. His height ranged between a noticeable 170 to 180 centimeters, his fair skin striking a contrast against his dark eyes, and a black or brown skinhead haircut partnered with a chic black beard.''
''This homme mystérieux, as the French say, conversed in English, but with that unmistakable French twang, adding a touch of international flair to the otherwise horrific scene. His journey through Thailand was on a rented motorcycle, a sleek black and blue Honda Click, procured courtesy of his passport at a Coffee Club store in bustling central Sukhothai. Accompanying this potential key witness was a European woman, seemingly his girlfriend, her presence marked by her shoulder-length blonde curls and a vibrant yellow tie-dye skirt.''
kitchener.citynews.ca
By Busaba Sivasomboon, Jul 23, 2020
''BANGKOK — Improved DNA testing has shed new light on the unsolved murder of a female Japanese tourist 13 years ago, suggesting a link to a male of East Asian heritage, Thai officials said Thursday.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the Department of Special Investigation has informed Japanese officials of the finding that might help identify the killer of Tomoko Kawashita. He said a DNA sample found on the clothing of the 25-year-old victim has been identified as belonging to an East Asian man.''
“With the new method, we can pinpoint that the DNA we found on the pants of the victim was not the DNA of Thai men. It matched with men from East Asia in the global genetic database that we can access with the help of Thai geneticists,” Wannapong said.
Somsak told reporters that he wants to ask Japanese authorities to collect DNA from the Japanese man who was seen with Kawashita.
“At that time, he refused to co-operate in giving tissue samples for lab tests and left Thailand one day after her body was found. We can start with checking his DNA sample in the next phase of the investigation that will be a collaboration between the two countries,” Somsak said.''
26 Jun 2025
www.bangkokpost.com
Tomoko Kawashita was found dead on the night of the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai Historical Park in November 2007.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is ramping up efforts to solve the 2007 murder of Japanese stage actress Tomoko Kawashita at Wat Saphan Hin in Sukhothai province, before the statute of limitations expires in 2027.
''The actress was found dead on the night of the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai Historical Park in November 2007.
The DSI believes a Frenchman, spotted near the crime scene before the murder, might be a key witness who could unravel the long-unsolved case.''
June 2025
www.nationthailand.com
''On Tuesday, the DSI released a facial sketch of the man, believed to be a tourist in Sukhothai at the time of the murder. Investigators believe he may possess critical information that could lead to the arrest of the killer of Tomoko Kawashita, 27, whose body was found near Wat Saphan Hin in the Sukhothai Historical Park on November 25, 2007.''
''In a twist that seems straight out of a detective novel, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand is hot on the trail of a mysterious Frenchman who might just hold the key to unraveling a murder mystery that has perplexed authorities for nearly two decades. The case in question involves the tragic demise of Tomoko Kawashita, a bright young Japanese traveler whose life was brutally cut short against the backdrop of the enchanting ancient ruins of Sukhothai. On the fateful day of November 25, 2007, the serene atmosphere of the historic Saphan Hin Temple was marred by a crime most foul – Tomoko was found with a fatal neck wound, her personal belongings ominously absent.''
Fast forward to today, June 25, 2025, and the case sees a potential breakthrough. Fresh from their relentless sleuthing, the DSI has honed in on a European tourist – possibly French – who might just hold the linchpin to solving this 18-year-old mystery. Witnesses recall spotting this enigmatic traveler at Saphan Hin on the very day Tomoko’s life was taken. Imagine the scene as they describe a man in his stylish thirties or forties (now likely in his mid-fifties), donning a black T-shirt paired with black nylon shorts – a strikingly memorable ensemble. His height ranged between a noticeable 170 to 180 centimeters, his fair skin striking a contrast against his dark eyes, and a black or brown skinhead haircut partnered with a chic black beard.''
''This homme mystérieux, as the French say, conversed in English, but with that unmistakable French twang, adding a touch of international flair to the otherwise horrific scene. His journey through Thailand was on a rented motorcycle, a sleek black and blue Honda Click, procured courtesy of his passport at a Coffee Club store in bustling central Sukhothai. Accompanying this potential key witness was a European woman, seemingly his girlfriend, her presence marked by her shoulder-length blonde curls and a vibrant yellow tie-dye skirt.''
Thailand claims breakthrough in Japanese tourist murder case
BANGKOK — Improved DNA testing has shed new light on the unsolved murder of a female Japanese tourist 13 years ago, suggesting a link to a male of East Asian heritage, Thai officials said Thursday. Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the Department of Special Investigation has informed...
kitchener.citynews.ca
''BANGKOK — Improved DNA testing has shed new light on the unsolved murder of a female Japanese tourist 13 years ago, suggesting a link to a male of East Asian heritage, Thai officials said Thursday.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the Department of Special Investigation has informed Japanese officials of the finding that might help identify the killer of Tomoko Kawashita. He said a DNA sample found on the clothing of the 25-year-old victim has been identified as belonging to an East Asian man.''
“With the new method, we can pinpoint that the DNA we found on the pants of the victim was not the DNA of Thai men. It matched with men from East Asia in the global genetic database that we can access with the help of Thai geneticists,” Wannapong said.
Somsak told reporters that he wants to ask Japanese authorities to collect DNA from the Japanese man who was seen with Kawashita.
“At that time, he refused to co-operate in giving tissue samples for lab tests and left Thailand one day after her body was found. We can start with checking his DNA sample in the next phase of the investigation that will be a collaboration between the two countries,” Somsak said.''
26 Jun 2025
New push to solve slaying of Japanese actress in Thailand
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is ramping up efforts to solve the 2007 murder of Japanese stage actress Tomoko Kawashita at Wat Saphan Hin in Sukhothai province, before the statute of limitations expires in 2027.
Tomoko Kawashita was found dead on the night of the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai Historical Park in November 2007.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is ramping up efforts to solve the 2007 murder of Japanese stage actress Tomoko Kawashita at Wat Saphan Hin in Sukhothai province, before the statute of limitations expires in 2027.
''The actress was found dead on the night of the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai Historical Park in November 2007.
The DSI believes a Frenchman, spotted near the crime scene before the murder, might be a key witness who could unravel the long-unsolved case.''
June 2025
DSI offers B2m reward for French witness in 2007 Japanese murder case
DSI offers 2-million-baht reward for Frenchman believed to hold key info in 2007 murder of Japanese tourist in Sukhothai.
www.nationthailand.com
''On Tuesday, the DSI released a facial sketch of the man, believed to be a tourist in Sukhothai at the time of the murder. Investigators believe he may possess critical information that could lead to the arrest of the killer of Tomoko Kawashita, 27, whose body was found near Wat Saphan Hin in the Sukhothai Historical Park on November 25, 2007.''
