A Thai model who died mysteriously in Bahrain has been repatriated to Thailand.

Breadwinner and former model Kaikan Kaennakam, 31, ventured overseas in 2021 to work at a restaurant in Bahrain to support her family in Thailand.

However, she suddenly disappeared in April 2023 before her relatives learned this year that the body of a Southeast Asian woman was being kept at the Salmaniya Medical Complex morgue in Bahrain's capital Manama.

The corpse had been stored at the hospital for a year, and had a leg tattoo that reportedly identified her as the missing Thai woman.

With the help of donors and a women and children's charity, Kaikan's mum, Aim, finally repatriated her daughter's body on May 16.

Speaking through tears after receiving Kaikan's body at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Aim said: 'I want to thank Mrs. Paveena of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for helping coordinate the return of my daughter's body to Thailand, and to all the Thai people who donated money. 

'I paid 80,000 THB (1,745 GBP) to the Thai embassy in Bahrain for the repatriation, and the remaining money will be used for the funeral.'

Aim said that Kaikan was a single mother-of-three and the family's breadwinner, who went to the Middle East in 2021 to earn more money. She was reportedly staying with her Bahraini boyfriend, whom her family accused of beating and abusing her.

Doctors in Bahrain cited 'acute lung and heart failure due to alcohol poisoning' as Kaikan's cause of death. However, her relatives believe her death to be suspicious as she had often showed them wounds and bruises allegedly inflicted by her lover.

Another post-mortem examination will be conducted before Kaikan's funeral, as requested by her relatives.

Kaikan's devastated sister Suthida Ngernthaworn said: 'My sister started working in Bahrain around two or three years ago and found an Arab boyfriend there.

'However, we have not been able to contact her since April last year. Our family contacted the Thai Embassy in Bahrain and learned on April 18 this month that she had passed away.'

Suthida claimed Kaikan was being physically abused by her boyfriend, as she would often send them photos or videos of her wounds and bruises.

She said: 'The embassy in Bahrain documented the cause of death as alcohol intoxication, but her body photos contained bruises.

'We could not bring her body back because repatriation is expensive. My mum also wants the case to be reopened, and for an autopsy to be conducted again.'

The family also sought assistance from Paveena Hongsakul, founder of a women and children's charity in Thailand.

Paveena Hongsakul, founder of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation, warned Thai women to be wary of job opportunities abroad.

She said: 'There are risks of being tricked into prostitution, human trafficking, or drug rings.'

Citing data from 2004 to 2022, she said Bahrain was among the top destinations where Thai women were duped into becoming sex workers.

The United Arab Emirates was also at the top of the list, with wealthy Middle Eastern residents able to lavish vast sums on foreign women who are able to fulfil their desires.