Chinese woman escapes deadly fire trap after Pattaya assault

A Chinese woman, allegedly lured and assaulted in a remote area near Pattaya, survived an attempt on her life after the assailant reportedly set the surrounding grassland on fire. The incident took place yesterday, February 18, and police are now investigating the mystery, examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage from the day of the crime.

The harrowing ordeal began when the woman and her younger brother were reportedly seeking a ride near Thai Garden on Highway 331, about 10 kilometres from the crime scene. Two Thai men on motorcycles offered them a lift, which they accepted, each riding pillion on separate bikes.

However, the journey took a terrifying turn when the men diverted into the woods, about 400 meters from Rural Road 2801, and the assault took place.

At the scene, a desolate grassland next to a cassava plantation, the authorities found the Chinese national, referred to as Mei Lin (a pseudonym), aged 29, and her 19 year old brother, Chen (a pseudonym).

The woman appeared dishevelled, with her wrists showing signs of being bound and a state of panic evident in her demeanour. According to her account, after failing to complete the assault, the perpetrator smeared lotion on her body, possibly to obscure fingerprints, and doused the area with fuel before igniting a fire, intending to eliminate her as a witness, reported KhaoSod.

In a desperate bid for survival, Mei Lin managed to burn through the ropes binding her wrists and sought help from her brother, eventually alerting the police.

The police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jeerasak Aebfaeng from Nong Prue Police Station and Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensarn from the Pattaya Tourist Police, conducted an extensive interview with the victim and initiated a thorough investigation, noting several inconsistencies in her account.

Despite the lack of visible struggle marks on her clothes, the police are awaiting detailed medical examination results and DNA evidence to verify the claims.

The authorities are determined to bring justice to the victim, delving into the minutiae of the case, including potential motives and the exact timeline of events. The case remains shrouded in mystery, with ongoing efforts to cross-reference the victim’s statements with in-depth analyses and CCTV footage from the area.