Paitoon Kruain was arrested on May 20 after he was identified as the taxi driver who picked up the 19-year-old tourist two days earlier at Phuket International Airport and subjected her to a five-hour ordeal before she was rescued in Phuket Town by two women who noticed her distress.
At his initial court appearance on May 20 he pleaded not guilty. He was ordered held without bail, and the judge recommended him to get a lawyer.
Today, Paitoon initially pleaded not guilty to all four charges: abduction, sexual harassment, driving under the influence of narcotics and driving while drunk.
However, his defence lawyer requested a brief recess so that he could talk with his client. After this, Paitoon changed his plea to guilty to all four charges.
He will appear in court again on October 4, when he is likely to be sentenced.