SURAT THANI - A man who was released from prison last month has been charged with the rape and murder of his neighbour's seven-year-old daughter at her home on Oct 17.
Tests on samples from 11 men suspected of possible involvement in the girl's death pointed to Chainarin Klinkloy, 27, whose DNA matched with semen found on the girl's body, police said.
Pol Maj Gen Apichart Boonsriroj, chief of Surat Thani police, said Mr Chainarin has been charged with raping a girl aged below 13 years and causing her death. He was also charged with murder.
The suspect is being detained at Surat Thani Central Prison. He was arrested on drug charges after the girl was killed and police are still awaiting the results of tests.
Police opposed his bail request and will interrogate him about the rape and murder, the Surat Thani police chief said.
Neighbours of the dead girl have demanded her killer face the death penalty.
. The girl's father found her lying battered and bleeding in his house in tambon Sin Charoen of Phrasaeng district on Oct 17 when he returned home from work, police said.
The girl's father found her lying battered and bleeding in his house in tambon Sin Charoen of Phrasaeng district on Oct 17 when he returned home from work, police said