Thai model Ratchadech Wongtabut arrested after Thitima Noraphanpiphat, aka ‘Lunlabelle’, found dead in his building

Ratchadech Wongtabut, 24, has been charged with illegal detention leading to death, abduction with intent of committing an indecent act, and molestation

An autopsy found Thitima Noraphanpiphat died from extreme alcohol intoxication, citing a blood alcohol concentration of 418 milligrams per 100 millilitres

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Thai event model Thitim Noraphanpiphat, aka Lunlabelle, who was found dead in September 2019. Male model Ratchadech Wongtabut has been implicated in her death. Photo: Instagram

Published: 5:00am, 26 Sep 2019Updated: 8:00pm, 26 Sep 2019

Police in Thailand have arrested a model accused of taking an unconscious woman home, boasting online about his sexual exploits, and leaving her lifeless body in the lobby of his building.

Ratchadech Wongtabut, 24, was charged with illegal detention leading to death, abduction with intent of committing an indecent act, and molestation, in a case that has riveted the Thai public and press.

The victim, Thitima Noraphanpiphat, 25, worked as a “pretty” – a term for young women normally hired as product promoters at events such as auto shows.

Thitima, who used Lunlabelle as her professional name, was hired to attend a party which Ratchadech left with her on the night of September 16.

[Event models] need protection from being abused, just like other workers

Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation

A media frenzy over the case has been fuelled by Ratchadech’s provocative online posts boasting of past sexual conquests, and copious surveillance video showing him carrying the apparently unconscious victim.