The suspect, identified only as ‘Mr C’, was taken into custody after police issued an arrest warrant following an investigation into an incident on July 10, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum told a press conference today (July 21).
The suspect was scheduled to appear before the Phuket Provincial Court today, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert noted.
At the press conference today, the boy’s mother ‒ referred to as ‘Ms B’ to protect the family’s identity ‒ expolained that she was walking with her son near her workplace, about 500 metres from Patong Beach, on the afternoon of July 10 when the boy struck up an acquaintance with Mr C.
The foreign national asked the boy for a photo together, requested his home address, and added him as a contact on the Line messaging app. He then reportedly invited the boy to go swimming in the sea, under the guise of teaching him to swim.
While in the water, Mr C allegedly sexually assaulted the boy. The boy, distressed, told his mother what had happened as soon as she returned from work. She took him directly to hospital for a medical examination and filed a report with Patong Police Station the same day.
The mother said Mr C subsequently contacted the boy again via Line, sending a photo of the two of them together and asking to meet up. After seeing the exchange, she gathered the messages and submitted them to police as evidence.
Ms B told officials that in the days that followed, she and her son grew increasingly fearful, particularly because Mr C already had the boy’s home address. After researching the suspect and learning he held a professional position in Phuket, she reached out to the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women for assistance on Saturday (July 18).
Long renowned foundation president Paveena Hongsakul liaised with Pol Maj Gen Sinlert and Patong Police Station Chief Pol Col Korakrit Khanthakrue, who arranged for Ms B to provide further testimony to investigators on Sunday (July 19).
Pol Col Korakrit confirmed to Ms Paveena yesterday (July 20) that officers had gathered sufficient evidence, secured an arrest warrant, and apprehended the suspect. A search of his mobile phone and laptop reportedly turned up images of the boy.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert explained that Mr C faces three charges:
- Abducting a child under 15 years of age from a guardian for indecent purposes
- Rape of a child under 15 years of age
- Committing an indecent act against a child under 15 years of age
The combined charges carry a prison term of between five and 20 years, he said.
Speaking in Phuket today, Ms Paveena travelled with the boy’s mother to meet Pol Maj Gen Sinlert and Pol Col Korakrit to discuss the case and next steps.
She was joined by Jilaporn Tamchu Krisanasuwan, Director of the Office of Financial Assistance to Victims and Defendants in Criminal Cases, who invited Phuket Justice Office Director Wichien Chaisorn to the meeting.
Representatives from the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office and the Children and Family Shelter in Phuket also attended to coordinate measures to protect the boy should the suspect be granted bail.
Officials said they were concerned that Mr C, described as a well-established professional in the community, could attempt to interfere with the case if released. Police confirmed they intend to oppose bail during the investigation phase.
Ms Paveena also disclosed that the boy is autistic, calling the case “deeply distressing and unacceptable”. She said police have coordinated with the Immigration Bureau to seek revocation of Mr C’s visa, meaning he would need to apply for a new visa in order to continue fighting the case in Thailand.
She added that the foundation would continue working with police, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the Phuket Justice Office to monitor cases involving foreign nationals accused of exploiting Thailand to sexually abuse children.
Ms Paveena thanked police for their swift action and urged any other potential victims of Mr C, or of child sexual abuse more broadly, to come forward.
She said reports can be made to local police, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, or the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation via the following numbers: 063-2377327, 098-4788991, 081-8901355, 081-8140244, or the national hotline 1134.