Police have arrested a 32-year-old man they say has confessed to killing Dutch national Daphna Beerdsen, 31, with a screwdriver on Monday after she called for help while he tried steal a bicycle from her home.

The horrific attack has also left her baby daughter in critical condition at a Bangkok hospital.

The suspect was arrested last night at about 9pm at Wat Botum pagoda near the Royal Palace and has confessed to the crime, National Police spokesman Kirth Chantharith told the Post this morning.

“He confessed that he did the crime. He did murder that lady, because he wanted to steal the bicycle. But during his action, [she] knew that somebody saw or [wanted] to steal the bicycle, so she shouted loudly for getting help and then he attacked her using [a] screwdriver to stab [her],” he said.

“So far, he already confessed and we already confiscated the evidence. It is the bag of the Dutch lady including some material inside [like] her identity card or passport, I’m not sure. But of course, that is her bag and her documents.”

Beerdsen’s 19-month-old daughter, Dana Oele, underwent brain surgery at Bangkok General Hospital last night after being flown there from Phnom Penh on Tuesday, according to hospital officials.

Beerdsen and Dana were found at the family's rented house in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district on Monday morning.