Thai man arrested for raping niece over 7-year period

A court in the northern province of Chiang Rai denied a bail request for a Thai man who repeatedly raped his niece from when she was eight until she was 15. He also threatened the girl to drop a complaint against him.

The victim’s 44 year old mother contacted the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women because she was worried about the safety of her 17 year old daughter as the rapist, the victim’s uncle, Loy, called the girl and allegedly threatened her with violence unless she stopped the legal proceedings.

The woman recounted details of the sexual abuse to the foundation. Her daughter previously lived with her aunt and uncle in Chiang Rai after the woman divorced her husband. She then went to work in Chiang Mai and her ex-husband went to work in South Korea.

In June, the girl called her mother and asked to stay with her instead of her aunt. The girl initially did not mention the sexual assault, only saying that she could not stand living with her aunt and uncle.

The mother decided to quit her job and rented a house in Chiang Rai to live with her daughter. The girl later revealed the sexual assault to her mother two months later. She said she did not dare to speak to her mother previously because Loy threatened her. The two then reported the matter to Bandu Police Station.

According to the woman, the girl suffered from mental health issues after the incident and had to take medicine at all times. The girl also had to see the doctor every three months for follow-up treatment.

The mother added that Loy called her daughter in May, threatening her to drop the legal proceedings. Worried about her daughter’s safety, the mother turned to the foundation.

The Paveena Foundation for Children and Women took the victim to Bandu Police Station for questioning with a child specialist. The police then issued an arrest warrant for Loy and apprehended him yesterday, July 1. Loy’s bail request was denied, and he is now temporarily detained at a court in Chiang Rai.