Kidnapper and child rapist arrested after 13 years on the run
The Thai authorities apprehended a member of a 7-man rapist gang who abducted and sexually assaulted a 16 year old girl in 2011. The arrest took place yesterday following a prolonged manhunt.
Today, the Head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD), Sarut Kwangsopa, orchestrated the arrest of 40 year old Uthai. The arrest was based on an arrest warrant issued by Kanchana Buri Provincial Court in July 2011 which charged Uthai with several serious crimes.
The charges include gang rape, abduction of a minor under 18, and taking a person for indecent acts using force. Uthai was apprehended in Nong Khai Province.
In 2011, the victim, identified as Pad (pseudonym), 16 years old at the time, was heading to the bathroom in her residence when a woman stopped a pickup truck outside and called out to her. As Pad approached, a group of men who were waiting in the vehicle forcibly dragged her into the truck.
They transported her to a house in Bo Phloi District, Kanchanaburi Province, where they raped her. Following the incident, the perpetrators fled, and the victim reported the crime to the Laokhwan Police Station.
Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for all seven suspects, with some already in custody.
Officials later discovered that Uthai, one of the suspects, had been hiding in Nong Khai Province for over 13 years. They successfully apprehended him yesterday.
During the interrogation, the rapist denied the allegations. However, authorities remained unconvinced and transferred him to Laokhwan Police Station for further legal proceedings.
One of the investigators states his confidence in the case built against Uthai, highlighting the substantial evidence compiled.
The victim’s traumatic experience has had lasting impacts, and her pursuit of justice has been a long and arduous journey. The arrest of Uthai marks a significant step towards closure for her and her family.
The police are determined to ensure all the culprits face the full extent of the law, reported Khaosod.
The case highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to pursue justice for victims of serious crimes, no matter how much time has passed. The arrest of Uthai after 13 years on the run is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the law enforcement community in Thailand.
