Rape victim to continue her holiday in Thailand

A 23-year-old tourist from Brazil who was allegedly attacked and raped by a taxi driver in Suphan Buri on Tuesday, has decided to continue her holiday in Thailand, says permanent secretary for Tourism and Sports, Pongpanu Svetarundra.

He said the Brazilian tourist who was allegedly assaulted and raped by Khamkhuncharoen Khonchaturas, 44, of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district, was just coping.

Mr Pongpanu was speaking after meeting the victim yesterday in Bangkok to express his sorrow for what happened and collect more information.

Mr Pongpanu also handed the victim 20,000 baht from a fund set to help tourists recover from mental injury, plus complementary air tickets.

He said the victim told him that she believes in the Thai justice system and will continue her holiday in the country. He did not reveal her holiday plan. “I was truly saddened by the incident,” Mr Pongpanu said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the police who worked hard to find the man.

“Also big thanks goes to the locals who had helped the victim.”

The tourist filed a complaint with Suphan Buri police that she had been raped by a taxi driver.

She told police she hailed a taxi in front of Don Mueang airport on arrival from Malaysia about 1.30pm and told the driver to take her to Thong Lor where she was to meet friends.

She said the driver took her through the city’s outskirts to Suphan Buri where he physically assaulted, raped and abandoned her.

She said she tried to fight her attacker off but was overpowered.

She was found in tambon Thung Khok in Song Phi Nong district and taken to hospital for treatment.

Mr Khamkhuncharoen was caught on Samakkhi Road in Nonthaburi on Wednesday.

He was initially charged with rape, illegal detention and theft with violence. Police inquiries are continuing.