Thai Olympic boxer Somluck denies sexual assault charges in court

A Thai Olympic boxing hero arrived at Khon Kaen Provincial Court today, confident he could prove his innocence against sexual assault charges.

The 51 year old boxer, Somluck Khamsing, and his close aide Pichet Chinaehantha, accompanied by their lawyer, attended court for the first hearing today, July 31, which involved the examination of evidence and witness lists. Prosecutors have indicted both men.

Somluck faces serious allegations, including colluding to take a minor aged between 15 and 18 years from their parents or guardians, taking a minor to perform an indecent act regardless of consent, attempted rape by use of force, and committing an indecent act, in violation of multiple sections of the Criminal Code.

Pichet faces charges of colluding to deprive a minor aged 15 to 18 years of parental care and colluding in taking a minor for an indecent act. According to Thai media, the 47 year old Pichet allegedly drove the motorcycle that transported Somluck and the girl from the Suksant Khon Kaen pub to the Mantrawalee Hotel.

The charges stem from a complaint filed by a 17 year old girl in early December. She claimed to have met Somluck at a pub in the Mueang district of Khon Kaen and alleged that he took her to a hotel room where he assaulted her.

Somluck surrendered shortly after the complaint was filed and issued a public apology to the victim and her family but denied all charges. He was subsequently released on bail.

Upon his arrival at the court, Somluck appeared calm and stated he had complied with all conditions, possessed evidence proving his innocence, and was confident of an acquittal.

“Based on the information I received, I am the third person who has been treated in this way. But I will not go into details. I have faith in the justice process.”

Somluck, who trained in Muay Thai, made history by winning Thailand’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in boxing at the Atlanta Games in 1996, reported Bangkok Post.