Jongwisut Rungjaras, 20, was arrested yesterday morning at a construction site in Nonthaburi for allegedly beating and suffocating 14-year-old Wichuta Phothong on Thursday night, the head of the investigation team, Lt-Colonel Saneh Sathienpong, said.

Jongwisut denied being involved in the killing but later confessed when shown the evidence against him. One of his sandals was found at the crime scene, while the other was found in his residence along with clothes smeared with mud, Saneh said.

Jongwisut allegedly told police he was drunk and tried to rape Wichuta, who had walked past him on her way home from a movie . Her struggles and cursing enraged Jongwisut who then beat her and drowned her in a canal.

Saneh said Jongwisut was arrested last year for molesting a four-year-old girl.

Police charged Jongwisut with murder. Pending a lab test due in at least one week, he could also be charged with rape.

Wichuta's grief-stricken father Winai Phothong, 49, was held back by Taling Chan police as he tried to force his way into the police station to get to the suspect. Police told him they would bring the suspect to the family for a formal apology.

"I want to ask him how he could do such a cruel thing and kill my daughter who was so young," the sobbing father said.

About 30 relatives and friends of the victim swarmed the station yesterday demanding to see Jongwisut. They shouted abuse at him, forcing police to suspend the usual crime re-enactment.

Metropolitan Police Comm-issioner Lt-General Wiroj Chan-tharangsi said Jongwisut would be detained at the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court today.