Ao Nang Deputy Police Chief, Lt Col Winai Poonsawas told The Phuket News this morning (Sept 21), “I was told that the court is waiting for two more witnesses to testify. However, i can confirm that the suspect, 28-year-old Apai Raingworchai, who is facing charges of assault causing serious injury and sexual assault, is still being detained at Phang Nga Provincial Court until his trial begins.
“The two witnesses said they saw the suspect and the victim, Ms Gavios, together at the beach before they went to the mountain. The court hopes to get all their information as soon as possible so they can proceed with the trial,” Lt Col Winai.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Winai has also confirmed that Ms Gavois, who was previously in Bangkok Hospital Phuket where she received surgery on her spine following the attack, left the country last week.
“Ms Gavois left for her hometown in New York last Friday (Sept 16). Her family believed it was best for her to go back home to recover and seek further treatment there. However, I was told that she will return for the trial,” Lt Col Winai added.
Ms Gavois, 23, from Queens, New York fell 45 metres down a mountain at Railay, in Krabi, while fleeing a sexual attack by Apai on Sept 1. She told police that she had hired him as a local guide to lead her over the mountain back to her place of stay. (See story here.)