2 Thai LGBTQIA+ university students arrested for soup attack
Police arrested two LGBTQIA+ university students in a soup attack on another student in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok on Friday, February 7, and denied their bail requests.
The victim, whose name remains undisclosed, filed a complaint with Khlong Luang Police Station on Friday following the attack at a restaurant, reportedly over financial issues. At the station, the victim happened to meet social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet and decided to seek his help.
According to Gun, the victim borrowed money from one of the attackers and already repaid the debt. However, the attackers continued to demand more money, harass, and use violence against the victim. Previously, they had locked the victim in a condominium room and brutally assaulted him.
Several news agencies shared CCTV footage of the incident on Friday, showing two attackers approaching the victim while he was dining alone. They engaged in an argument before one of the attackers poured hot soup over the victim.
The attacker also forced the victim to pour the soup over himself, cut his hair, threatened him into giving her 50,000 baht, and coerced him into quitting university. The attackers were later identified as 22 year old Rasipa “Preme” Sajjawan and 19 year old Chakatphon “Oshi” Washirawan.
Fear of arrest
Gun exposed the matter to the public, prompting more than 500 members of the LGBTQIA+ community to gather outside the attackers’ condominium.
They demanded that condominium staff allow them inside or summon the two attackers to publicly apologise to the victim.
However, the condominium staff denied that the attackers were present, aiming to prevent further violence. Police intervened in the protest, and the LGBTQIA+ group eventually dispersed.
Police arrested Preme and Oshi at their condominium yesterday. The Superintendent of Khlong Luang Police Station, Siraphop Bualuang, reported that Preme appeared visibly frightened and distressed during the arrest. She barricaded her room door with a wardrobe and turned off all the lights.
Officers had to force entry into Preme’s room before arresting her, though she did not resist. She only asked officers what would happen to her next.
As for Oshi, police reported that he admitted to taking part in the brutal assault on the victim. However, he denied any involvement in the extortion of 50,000 baht.
Another victim speaks
The two were initially charged under Section 295 of the Criminal Code for physically assaulting another person. The penalty could include imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both.
They were also charged under Section 337 of the Criminal Code for forcing another person to surrender property or provide benefits through threats or violence. The penalty ranges from six months to seven years in prison and a fine of between 10,000 and 40,000 baht.
As the attackers had previously threatened to kill the victim, police denied their bail requests and temporarily detained them in court.
Gun told the media that this was not the first case involving the two suspects. Another victim recently came forward, sharing details of a previous physical assault and extortion carried out by them.
According to this victim, Preme had romantic feelings for him and bought him several gifts. However, after their relationship failed to develop, Preme demanded repayment for the gifts in cash. The victim agreed, but Preme later brought a group of friends to gang up on and attack him.
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