“Now the case is in the process of investigation, a complaint has been filed, and an accusation has been made. The case is currently under investigation, with evidence being collected to proceed with a lawsuit in court,” Col Ekkarat told The Phuket News.
“I cannot provide any further details at this time. The case files are confidential, and some information must remain undisclosed until we gather more evidence and have an update,” Col Ekkarat added.
Pol Lt Attha Liang, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Chalong Police Station, received the complaint on Wednesday (Aug 21).
According to the complaint, the incident occurred at the health spa in a small side street off Soi Ta-iad on Aug 18.
The staffer, a resident of Chalong, told police that she was working at the shop counter when the man, a well-known MMA fighter from Kyrgyzstan, entered the shop at about 1pm.
She opened the sauna and prepared ice for him, then returned to sit at the counter. The man used the service as usual.
Later, at around 5pm, the man walked out to his black motorcycle and spoke to her in English, saying that he had finished with the sauna and ice bath.
She went to turn off the heat to the sauna and then walked back, but the man followed her, kissed her on the mouth, then entered the bathroom. He beckoned her to follow him. When she did, he led her into the second shower room, where he sexually assaulted her. The police report gave explicit details of the incident.
Afterward, the man put on his pants and exited the bathroom. Through a translation app he told the woman to not tell anyone about the incident.
The man then left, driving off on his motorbike.
After the incident, the young woman went to a room next to the shop counter.
The woman told Pol Lt Attha that she was reporting the incident to take legal action.
Regarding the delay in filing the complaint, Pol Col Ekkarat said, “So far, I can say that the victim may have felt fear and uncomfortable disclosing that she was raped.
“The victim may have felt too ashamed or frightened to report the rape to anyone, including her boss or coworkers. It’s not uncommon for individuals to keep such traumatic experiences to themselves,” he noted.