Thai woman’s body reportedly concealed in Taiwan suitcase for six days

Relatives of Duangporn, 35, from Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima, appealed on September 21, 2026 for justice and help returning her remains from Taiwan after learning she had been found dead in Taipei. Accounts circulating on social media alleged that her body had been concealed in a suitcase for six days. The social-media accounts alleged that a Taiwanese man described as Duangporn’s boyfriend strangled her in anger after she ended their relationship, then concealed her body. Those accounts characterised her death as unintended.

Duangporn, known by the nickname “Jeans”, had been the subject of missing-person appeals posted by relatives after they lost contact with her. Her family said they had not known she had travelled to Taiwan.

Unable to afford the journey to collect her body, Duangporn’s relatives authorised the division responsible for protecting Thai nationals abroad to coordinate the case and arrangements for her remains. They requested assistance with cremation once the case had concluded and the return of her ashes for religious rites in Phimai.

Phimai officials coordinate assistance for Duangporn’s family

Phimai district chief Siwasek Sinthoram said on September 21 that district officials had contacted Duangporn’s relatives and that provincial justice officials had also visited to look into assistance.

Siwasek said the case concerned a Thai national who had died after being assaulted overseas and would require coordination with Thai representatives abroad to establish the applicable legal provisions and possible claims.

Duangporn’s relatives would need to consult the relevant diplomatic or consular officials about pursuing proceedings as an injured party and claiming compensation for her death, Siwasek said. District officials would also coordinate with the provincial justice office to assist the family in Thailand.

Siwasek described Duangporn as coming from a poor household, having lost both parents and living with relatives in Phimai. The district would continue coordinating with the agencies concerned, he said.

Duangporn’s relatives lost contact on September 2

Duangporn’s cousin said contact stopped on September 2, an unusual silence for someone who normally responded within two days and frequently updated her social-media accounts.

According to the cousin, Duangporn was an only child whose parents had both died. She lived mainly in Bangkok and generally contacted that cousin alone when keeping in touch with relatives or arranging visits to Phimai.

Duangporn had worked in South Korea for more than 10 years before returning to Thailand for about a year, relatives said. In August, she told her family that her Korean boyfriend would take her to arrange a visa and that she planned to return to South Korea.

The cousin said Duangporn had also mentioned renting a condominium, believed to be in Bangkok, with the tenancy running until 2027. Duangporn had kept the property while planning to travel back and forth with her Korean boyfriend.

Duangporn enjoyed travelling abroad and had lived with her Korean boyfriend, the cousin said. The relative did not know whether that relationship had ended but said the Taiwanese man was a different person.

After calls to Duangporn went unanswered, the cousin asked contacts in South Korea to circulate an appeal for information and continued sending messages and following reports.

During the search, Duangporn’s Korean boyfriend contacted the cousin’s younger sister in Nakhon Pathom to ask whether Duangporn had returned to Thailand, the cousin said. When told she had not, he said they had been out of contact for about five days.

A local official later visited between about 9am and 10am to break the news, according to the cousin. The official’s opening words, “Please try to stay strong”, immediately made the relative fear that something terrible had happened.

The cousin said the family was then told Duangporn had been found dead in Taipei, rather than being in South Korea as they had believed. Duangporn had not told her relatives about travelling to Taiwan.

Duangporn’s family wants belongings returned and compensation advice

Duangporn’s cousin said the family wanted all her belongings in Taiwan returned and advice on whether compensation could be claimed from the person responsible for her death.

The cousin believed Duangporn’s assets could be substantial, including several baht-weight of gold, cash and designer goods. Some possessions were thought to remain in Bangkok, while others may have accompanied her to Taiwan.

Duangporn’s relatives were leaving arrangements concerning her property and the return of her ashes to the authorities, the cousin said.

The cousin and other relatives planned to visit the division responsible for protecting Thai nationals abroad at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok to submit their request and obtain advice on the legal process and possible compensation claims.