Waitress held for murder of police general

Phornphassorn Siriwong was tracked by surveillance camera footage recorded while she was allegedly using his ATM cards to withdraw money.

She was also accused of burning down the man's house. Police said she admitted she had killed Pol Maj-General Chookiat Phailee in his house in Nonthaburi province on July 2, and helped herself to his valuables so she could pay off credit-card debts.

However, the victim's brother Sakol, who is also a police general, said he did not believe the suspect's confession and preferred to wait till more evidence could be retrieved from the crime scene - Chookiat's partially burnt home.

Phornphassorn, 27, told police she had become close friends with Chookiat because he was a regular visitor at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress. She said she had gone to his place on the night of the murder to receive money he promised to lend her.

According to police, the suspect stabbed Chookiat in the neck with a switchblade while he was asleep.

Chookiat woke up and fought back, but she stabbed him to death and made off with his valuables and ATM cards.

She said she tried to burn down his house to destroy the evidence, just like they do in crime movies.