Prison chief: Murder suspect has right to wear lipstick

Prison chief: Murder suspect has right to wear lipstick

Preeyanuch Nonwangchai, 25, wearing pink lipstick, and other suspects in the murder of Warisara Klingju in a prison van on their way to Khon Kaen Provincial Court on Wednesday. (Photo by Jakkraphan Nathanri)
Preeyanuch Nonwangchai, 25, wearing pink lipstick, and other suspects in the murder of Warisara Klingju in a prison van on their way to Khon Kaen Provincial Court on Wednesday. (Photo by Jakkraphan Nathanri)

KHON KAEN - Prison authorities have defended the wearing of bright lipstick to court by a prime suspect in the karaoke bar girl dismemberment case, saying all female suspects have the right to use makeup.

Preeyanuch “Preaw’’ Nonwangchai, 24, drew fierce criticism on social media for wearing bright-coloured lipstick, variously described as shocking pink or red, to Khon Kaen Court on Wednesday, when she and the other defendants in the karaoke bar girl dismemberment case entered their pleas.

Netizens asked if, as a suspect detained in prison, she was allowed to wear lipstick.

Weerachai Phetcharat, chief of Khon Kaen central prison, says it's a fundamental right of female suspects to wear makeup. (Photo by Jakkrapan Nathanri)

Weerachai Phetcharat, chief of Khon Kaen central prison, on Thursday said all female suspects could wear makeup if they chose to. It was a fundamental right.

“I assure you that all female suspects are allowed to wear makeup or apply lipstick. It’s a basic right. Prison inmates and suspects are entitled to use makeup. It makes the women feel that they could lead normal lives,’’ the prison chief said.

However, they must comply with the prison’s regulations, he added. On a day when inmates were meeting relatives, or during activities held by the prison, or if female inmates took part in dances, they could apply makeup.

In the case of Preeyanuch, the pictures of her he had seen in the media did not show her unusually red-lipped on Wednesday, Mr Weerachai said.

Preeyanuch, Kawita Ratchada, 25, Apiwan Sattayabundit, 28, and Wasin Namprom, 22, pleaded not guilty to the serious charge of premeditated murder when they appeared before  Khon Kaen Court on Wednesday.

Ms Preeyanuch and Ms Kawita admitted to assaulting Warisara Klinjui, 22, and burying her dismembered body in Khon Kaen. Ms Apiwan admitted to concealing a body and drug abuse. Mr Wasin pleaded guilty to concealing a body.

 Another defendant Jidarat Promkhun, 21, was charged only with theft. It is alleged the four other suspects met her in Bangkok after the murder in Khon Kaen and sold her the victim's mobile phone. Ms Jidarat denied the charge.

Earlier, Preeyanuch reportedly confessed to police she strangled Warisara in a rented car in Khon Kaen on May 23. The body of the karaoke bar worker was found cut in two and buried in Khao Suan Kwang of the northeastern province on May 25. 

Preeyanuch "Preaw'' Nonwangchai, 24, a key suspect in the grisly murder of a karaoke bar girl, sparked criticism by netizens for wearing makeup to court on Wednesday. (Photo by Jakkrapan Nathanri)

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