The deputy tourist police commissioner said today that police investigators did not find any evidence or information that would support a rape case as claimed by a British backpacker, but he welcomed any evidence from her to prove otherwise.
Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakparn, who was assigned by the national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda to investigate the case, also offered to have her return to Thailand to make her case. The police officer visisted oh Tao island of the southern province of Surat Thani on a fact-finding mission today.
Accompanied by Koh Tao police, tourist police, immigration officials and the mayor of Koh Tao, Pol Maj Gen Surachet inspected Sai Ree beach where the victim claimed the alleged rape took place, the bar where she suspected she was drugged, and the hostel where she stayed with three companions during their vacation on the scenic island popular among backpackers.
The 19-year old British tourist claimed she was drugged, raped and robbed of her cellphone, credit cards and 3, 000 baht in cash. However, she alleged that the Koh Pha-ngan police refused to accept her rape complaint.
Pol Maj Gen Surachet said he talked to the hostel owner, Ms Pathra Jamtrakul, who told the police that she saw the British tourist cry and asked her what happened to her and was told she regretted having an affair with a male companion.
Judging from forensic evidence collected, testimonies from witnesses and documents, the tourist police deputy commissioner said police didn’t find a rape case as claimed.
He, nevertheless, warned that if the case was proven to be fabricated, those who posted the information about the case in the social media and those who shared the information would face charges in violation of the computer crime law.
