Public van driver accused of sexual assault surrenders to Khon Kaen police
A public van driver, who has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl, has turned himself in to the authorities at Waeng Noi Police Station, Khon Kaen, denying all charges. The accused, whose identity has been withheld, drove his van to the police station for further investigation.
Acting commissioner of Provincial Police Region 4, Police Lieutenant General Sarayuth Sanguanphokai, confirmed the surrender, stating the driver has professed his innocence, emphasizing his three-decade-long career as a public van driver without any prior allegations of misconduct.
A multi-disciplinary team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychologist, social workers, and officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is currently working alongside police investigators to ascertain the truth. Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayuth has however projected that the investigation might take longer than anticipated due to the victim’s current state of trauma.
The alleged incident transpired on October 1, when the girl’s parents employed a public van to transport their daughter from Khon Kaen to Bangkok. The girl’s older brother had travelled the same route a day earlier without incident.
The grandmother of the victim, referred to as Suay, reported that while the girl was expected to reach her destination on the morning of October 2, she only arrived around midday. The driver attributed the delay to roadworks en route.
The family began to notice changes in the girl’s behaviour following their return trip to Khon Kaen with the same driver on October 31. She began to experience sleep disturbances due to nightmares.
According to Suay, her granddaughter alleged that the van driver had drugged and sexually assaulted her during the journey from Khon Kaen to Bangkok. The girl recounted that she had been encouraged by the driver to sip water from a container, following which she experienced dizziness, reported Bangkok Post.
The driver then reportedly assaulted her and threatened her with dire consequences. Bloodstains were also reported on the van’s seats, as per the girl’s claim.
Follow more of The Thaiger’s latest stories on our new Facebook page HERE.
