A British teenager who was found dead in Thailand was murdered by a former convict in an alleged drug deal gone wrong, according to local police. Woramet Ben Taota, 16, was last seen on CCTV going for a motorcycle ride with his girlfriend Yam, also 16, in his hometown of Lampang on Saturday. Officers said Chaiwat Boonkarin, 44, confessed to killing the teenager after an argument broke out, according to The Telegraph. 

Boonkarin allegedly became angry and hit the boy to death with a piece of wood because he believes Taota had stolen and was lying, according to reports.

The 44-year-old, who had connections to the local drug trade, was reportedly released from prison eight months ago after being convicted of sex crimes.

Taota, who had dual nationality, borrowed his mother’s blue scooter and was seen riding with a girl on the back before he was found dead the next day in Lampang province on May 7. 

His body was found in a grove with his injuries showing signs of blunt force trauma.

His devastated British father Steven Graham, 60, a businessman who runs a thatched property insurance firm, is travelling to Thailand to speak to detectives there, who say they are now searching for a second girlfriend amid fears for her safety following the arrest of a 44-year-old male suspect.

Police said he was “romantically involved with” Suraphltchaya Khamsa, 16, riding pillion with him at around 4.25pm as they visited her grandfather. 

They dropped off another girl, also seen on the bike, then rode away together at 7.18pm in darkness.

Ben’s first girlfriend, Yam, has now been found and she is safe. Police have ruled her out of the case. 

Police Major General Mongkol Sampawapol, commander of Lampang Provincial Police, said officers are still searching for Suraphltchaya as she was “the last person to see Ben” before he was killed. 

Speaking from the family home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Lilian Graham, his grandmother, told Mail Online: “Ben was with a girl and they went to the forest to meet a man. But something must have happened. And the man killed Ben. They don’t know what has happened to the girl.”

Mrs Graham added: “It’s been a real shock. We are all devastated. Ben’s father Steve is going to Thailand tonight.

“I wanted to go out there with him to support him. But he wouldn’t let me. He said the flight was too long and it would be too upsetting.” Mrs Graham explained that Ben was born following a long-distance romance between her son Steve and the boy’s mother, who is known as Ooy.

Police Major General Sampawapol said: “Suraphltchaya’s nickname was Ping Pong. She also had a close romantic relationship with the deceased. She is still missing and we are actively searching for her. She was the last person to see Ben. 

“A suspect has been apprehended who had known the victim for a long time. He denies having any involvement in the death. However, we believe he is involved and it is connected to drug dealing in the area.”

Police said the suspect had been released from prison around eight months ago following previous convictions for sex crimes. 

Thai media reported that Ben’s body was found by a garbage collector who was at work on Sunday morning.

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