South African man declared wanted in Thailand for allegedly killing a Thai woman (Photos)

Authorities in Thailand have declared a South African man wanted for allegedly killing a Thai woman whose body was found in a Bangkok hotel on Sunday.

The suspect was identified as Mzwakhe Memela, 38. 

According to Thailand’s The Nation, Police said Memela was seen in security camera footage leaving the room of Susama Ruenrit, 35, from Kanchanaburi, on Sunday morning.

Her lifeless body was later found by staff in room on the sixth floor of a hotel on Soi Lat Phrao 130.

The hotel receptionist, Payu Srikhung said he and other staff checked the room at noon Sunday after Susama failed to pay the room rent.  When she refused to answer, they used a spare key and found the body wrapped in a sheet, the publication reported.

In a Police statement, they said Susama checked into the hotel at 9.50pm on Saturday before going out and returning at 4 am. The security cameras show Memela entering her room at 8am Sunday and leaving at 8.45. He is seen walking back to the elevator while staring at Susama’s room. 

The officials suspect that Memela went to the room to cut a deal involving jewellery but when negotiations went wrong, he struck and killed her.