Bangkok: Ms. Paveena Hongsakul, President of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, has taken the family of Ms. Athitiya, known as Nong Mind, to meet with international police to investigate her disappearance and suspected death. Nong Mind, who had moved to Oman with her Bangladeshi husband, had not been contactable for over three months, prompting her family and friends to seek help from the Paveena Foundation.
According to Thai News Agency, Nong Mind's father expressed a deep desire to determine the fate of his daughter, whom he has not seen in six years. With her husband recently arrested in a drug case, there is speculation that Nong Mind may have been killed and her body cremated at Mount Sabaya in Salalah, Oman. The Paveena Foundation has sought assistance from the Thai Interpol to coordinate with Omani authorities to uncover the truth.
Ms. Paveena detailed that Nong Mind had left for Bangladesh in 2020 and briefly returned to Thailand in 2024 before moving to Oman with her husband, Karek. Friends of Nong Mind reported ongoing physical abuse by her husband, and her disappearance raised further concerns. Despite Karek's denial of involvement, friends reported signs of severe abuse prior to her disappearance, and some sources indicated that her body was secretly cremated.
A friend of Nong Mind recounted witnessing signs of severe physical abuse on Nong Mind's body before her disappearance. The friend noted that despite reports of abuse, contact with Nong Mind ceased three months ago, and relatives suspect foul play. The case has drawn attention to previous allegations against Karek involving abuse of another Thai woman.
Another friend reported information from a Bangladeshi acquaintance in Oman, who claimed that Nong Mind's body had been secretly disposed of. The Thai Interpol has been urged to work with Omani authorities to confirm these reports and identify the body, if found.
Ms. Paveena communicated with a friend of Nong Mind in Oman, who indicated that Omani police had located a body presumed to be Nong Mind's and were performing an autopsy. Although unofficial, the initial identification pointed to it being her body.
Pol. Col. Sila Tantrakul, Director of the International Affairs Division, assured that the international police network, comprising 195 member countries including Oman, is engaged in the investigation. While the details of tracking the body or perpetrators remain unclear, efforts to gather and verify information are ongoing.
The father of Nong Mind expressed his wish for the police to diligently pursue the case to ascertain the truth about his daughter's fate. He emphasized the importance of bringing her remains back to Thailand for a proper ceremony if she is confirmed deceased. He recalled his last conversation with her in May 2024, highlighting the emotional toll of her uncertain fate on the family.
According to statistics from the Paveena Foundation, 2024 saw a significant number of human trafficking and related cases, with 257 incidents reported, including 204 cases needing assistance abroad. The Foundation has played a crucial role in addressing these issues, having assisted in 152 cases of trafficking abroad.