The quiet and calm neighbourhood of Berlin has been shaken by dreadful news, as the German law enforcement agencies are in pursuit of a mysterious criminal. The criminal’s prey? Siliya Saiwongpanya, a 61 year-old woman of Thai descent who was deeply rooted in the local culture, and the proud owner of Thai-Art, a reputed restaurant located on Kantstrasse Road in the heart of Berlin.
On the gloomy morning of August 18, Friday, a harmless walkway near Fuggerstrasse Road in the tranquil district of Schoeneberg transformed into a desolate crime scene. The body of Siliya lay there, lifeless, alongside her blood-stained handbag and a shattered glass bottle that appears to be the murder weapon. According to local press reports, Siliya had suffered severe injury to her neck, eventually leading to her tragic demise.
Local authorities have inferred that the gruesome act could be the dreadful outcome of a personal dispute. Surprisingly, all of Siliya’s belongings were intact. This added an eerie dimension to the crime, its cold-blooded nature leaving the community in shock. The perpetrator managed to escape local law enforcement authorities, rapidly dissipating into the city’s crowd, and is currently on the run.
Siliya was a beacon of inspiration and support for the Thai community in Germany. Her tale of courage, moving to a foreign country two decades ago with her German spouse, had earned her respect among her community. Originally from the central province of Sukhothai in Thailand, Siliya uniquely weaved her culinary skills into the German lifestyle – her Thai cuisine, especially the Thai-style noodles, were renowned in the city.
Her tragic death has sparked an outpouring of grief from her admirers and the Thai community in Germany. On a social media page run by a Thai man who goes by the pseudonym of German House Husband, one of the community members expressed their sorrow and shock — “Siliya was a kind soul who was loved and respected by everyone. Her friendly nature has touched countless hearts.”
The funeral rites for Siliya are scheduled to be held at the Buddhavihara Temple in Berlin from August 19 to 21. As the community comes together to grieve and remember their beloved member, her body is still under autopsy, as authorities are trying to piece together the string of events leading to her tragic demise.
Despite their peaceful nature, the Thai communities living in different European countries are occasionally targeted in fatal attacks. Although such violent incidents are more frequently reported in the United States, this incident has stirred apprehension among the Thais in Europe.
Previously in the Anza Vista neighbourhood of San Francisco, an elderly Thai man of 85, Vicha Ratanapakdee, was ruthlessly assaulted, leading to his death. The suspect, Autoine Watson, dodged a confession even after his arrest. In a similar event, Bew Jirajariyawetch, a 23-year-old Thai student was brutally attacked at a subway station in New York. The culprit, Kevin Douglas, was apprehended and punished with a five-year imprisonment.
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