Police are hunting for the ex-boyfriend of a Burmese influencer after she was found dead in Thailand.

Pittaya Boonyatisak, 27, allegedly borrowed 100,000 baht (2,200 GBP) from his former lover Thuzar Aung, 32, and is believed to have killed her when he could not pay back the debt.

Police officers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province discovered the social media influencer's body in a well at an abandoned temple on March 11 - a week after she was reported missing on March 4.

Authorities rappelled down the well to retrieve the decomposing body, which had a stab wound to the throat and two to the chest. Thuzar's co-workers have confirmed her identity.

Police Colonel Kittichai Krainara, Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station superintendent, said on Monday: 'We have been investigating since we received the missing persons report. We identified the suspect involved in the woman's disappearance yesterday, so we are awaiting the arrest warrant.

'Security cameras near the ex-boyfriend's home caught him on his way to sell the victim's gold ornaments.

'We have also been searching for the missing woman and finally found her body in the well this morning.'

Thuzar was known as a social media influencer who sold skin care products online. She also worked at a local cafe.

She was described by her colleagues as hard-working and never had problems with anyone. She had a love of motorbikes and was saving to fulfil her dream of buying a Harley Davidson.

A close friend of the deceased said the suspect Pittaya had borrowed nearly 100,000 baht from her, which she had been collecting from him after their break-up. He was also reported to have been trying to patch up their relationship before her death.

Pittaya was seen on CCTV driving Thuzar's pink motorcycle to a jewellery shop to sell her accessories after the murder. He then returned it in front of her room and fled on a bus to Phuket island. He is believed to be in Krabi province currently.

Police Colonel Kittichai said: 'The suspect will be charged with premeditated murder, theft at night, and concealing, destroying, or moving a human body to cover up a crime or death.

'Officers in Krabi are now hunting down the suspect. We expect to capture him in one or two days.'