KHON KAEN, Thailand – Police arrested three young men after a woman allegedly escaped from a dormitory and alerted authorities that her friend had been sexually assaulted following a night out at a nightclub. The suspects, aged 22, 19 and 19, were arrested at a dormitory in Khon Kaen at about 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 4 and face charges of jointly committing rape. Police said the investigation began after a 20-year-old woman, identified as Ms A, contacted Khon Kaen City Police through the 191 emergency centre. She reported that her 21-year-old friend, Ms B, had allegedly been sexually assaulted by three men inside a dormitory and asked officers to intervene.
When police arrived at the room, they found the three men with Ms B and brought all three to Khon Kaen City Police Station for questioning. According to Ms A’s account, she and Ms B had gone to a nightclub and had been drinking. After the venue closed, the three men offered to take the women back to their accommodation. She alleged that instead, the men took them to a dormitory room belonging to one of the suspects and continued drinking.
Ms A told police that the three men then allegedly sexually assaulted her friend while she was heavily intoxicated and unable to respond. She also alleged that one of the suspects used a mobile phone to record the incident. Ms A said she had also been drinking but remained conscious. She allegedly escaped when the men were distracted, ran onto the street and asked passing motorists for help before contacting police and seeking assistance for her friend.
During questioning, the three suspects reportedly admitted taking the women to the room after meeting them at the entertainment venue. They allegedly claimed that the sexual activity occurred while they were intoxicated and that the woman had not resisted. Police subsequently dealt with the alleged video recording and proceeded with the case under Thailand’s rape laws, which cover sexual acts involving a woman who is unable to resist. The three suspects were detained and taken for further legal proceedings, including a request for court detention at Khon Kaen Provincial Court. (Story, Photo: Khaosod)
