Police are probing a human skull believed to belong to a missing sex worker from Thai 'Sin City' Pattaya.

Officers found the severed decomposing head near a pond in a remote area of neighboring Chachoengsao province on May 27.

Authorities have collected the skull to undergo DNA testing. They believe it belongs to sex worker Methinee Julmantana, 43, who disappeared from a bar following an argument with her Romanian boyfriend.

Police Major General Kriangkrai Boonson said: 'A woman's skull was found at the edge of the village. It was wrapped in a pink towel, and there were two torn rubbish bags sealed with tape.

'We suspect the deceased was murdered with a blunt object as there was a large crack near the right temple. The skull has likely been there for almost a month.'

A schoolboy, 15, said he was jogging when he saw something roll out of the tall roadside grass. He moved closer to inspect the object, but was horrified to find the maggot-covered skull wrapped in a red towel.

He said: 'My legs were shaking with fear when I saw it. I was just on my routine jog. I didn't expect to find part of a human body there. I immediately called the village head to come check.'

Locals said the route was used by fishermen and construction workers during the day, but deserted at night. They said a foul smell had been permeating the area for the past few weeks.

Police speculate that the skull belonged to sex worker Lek, who was reported missing after a row with her Romanian boyfriend.

A waitress at the bar that the couple frequented said the pair were understood to have a rocky relationship, as the boyfriend was allegedly unfaithful leading to frequent arguments.

She claimed the pair regularly visited the bar to play pool, but often caused trouble as they argued in front of customers.

She said: 'Methinee called me before her disappearance. She was asking for help saying she couldn't take it anymore and that she wanted to stay with me. After that, I couldn't contact her anymore.'

Methinee's brother, Mit Raiputtha, 34, submitted to police a voice clip of her expressing distrust towards her boyfriend.

She allegedly suspected that he was an international fugitive who had previously spent 15 years in prison.

Mit said: 'My sister left our hometown Songkhla to work in Pattaya in January. She met her boyfriend at a bar just two days after starting her job, but their relationship fell apart in March due to his playboy behaviour.

'He demanded that she return his gifts, and even kicked her out of his room. Still, he refused to break up with her and kept showing up at her workplace.'

Authorities said they we were waiting for the DNA test results to verify the identity of the deceased.