UPDATE: Police have arrested the suspect, Sukanya Homsawat, 42, from Takua Pa District, Phang Nga Province. He has been charged with ‘rape by coercion, violence, or by taking advantage of the victim’s inability to resist, or by deceiving the victim into believing the suspect is someone else, and causing property damage’.
Pol. Lt. Col. Yutthaphol Watthaseth, an investigating officer at Patong Police Station, said the report was filed at about 5:30am yesterday (Apr 6).
The victim told police she had used the Grab application to book a motorcycle taxi from her hotel in Cherng Talay to meet a friend in Phuket Town. However, she did not know the exact location of the meeting point.
After being dropped off in Phuket Town, she attempted to locate her friend but was unable to make contact due to a lack of internet signal. She then approached people nearby to ask for assistance.
According to her statement, she later encountered an unknown Thai man and asked to use his WiFi. The man allegedly forced her into a van with an unknown licence plate, where the sexual assault took place.
The victim later recounted the incident to a friend, and together they reported the matter to Patong Police.
Police said the woman was questioned in detail before being taken to Patong Hospital for a medical examination. Officers also began collecting evidence and coordinating with Phuket City Police, as the incident is believed to have occurred within their jurisdiction.
Authorities are now reviewing CCTV footage along relevant routes in an effort to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Police confirmed that efforts are being expedited to bring the perpetrator to justice.