A British tourist has been arrested after a bar girl fell five floors to her death as they had ‘very strange and extravagant sex’ on a Pattaya hotel balcony.
Thai police detained Reece Vella, aged 25, on Sunday (January 7) after he left Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, to die in the street below their room.
Wannipa, also known as Joy, suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures in the fall.
After being called to the scene and searching the hotel room, police launched a manhunt for Vella, who had fled the scene. He was arrested at a bar yesterday afternoon.
He later told police he had taken the bar girl to his room and “had sex in the bedroom then on the balcony before she fell”.
Vella, from Birmingham, told police he had run away to a different hotel was because he was “distraught”.
Police Lieutenant Narong Chantra said Vella was arrested on suspicion of “negligence causing others to die”. He also said his visa had expired, which was another likely reason for him to flee the scene.
He said: “CCTV from the incident was examined and after checking evidence at the hotel the suspect was found to be Mr Reece Vella, a British citizen, aged 25 years.
“An arrest warrant was issued after evidence was presented to the court. The police case is that on the day of the incident Mr Vella visited the bar and paid to take Miss Wannipa away.
“Miss Wannipa and Mr Vella were having very strange, extravagant sex on the balcony until she fell down below and died.
“Mr Vella was in shock and — knowing that he had overstayed his visa — ran away and kept her mobile phone in his bag and left the room.
“Mr Vella has been arrested on suspicion of negligence causing others to die, overstaying his visa in excess of 59 days and stealing a motorcycle at night.
“The foreign suspect will be processed and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
Wannipa was working at the Sky Bar on Soi 6 street when Vella bar fined her for 1,500 baht. They then got a room at the nearby Cosy Beach View condominium block.
The police report said they then had what translates as “fancy/strange or extravagant” sex on the balcony before Wannipa fell to her death.
The building’s security guard described hearing a “loud crash” as she hit the floor. When he found her, naked in a pool of blood, she was still alive.
Paramedics arrived and performed CPR but she was later pronounced dead in hospital.
A statement issued by the Sky Bar read: “As many of you know we lost our beautiful Joy. The place will not be the same without Joy’s big cheeky smile and sense of humour.
“She really was a very special girl and left a lasting impression on all of us. She will remain in our hearts forever.”