Italian man arrested on rape charges at Phuket Airport

PHUKET: An Italian man was taken into police custody at Phuket Airport last night on an arrest warrant for the alleged rape of a Thai woman on Koh Samui.

The suspect, in his 30s, was to fly out of the country last night.

He was intercepted at the airport at 9:30pm after Immigration officers there were informed that Samui District Police had issued a warrant for his arrest.

Police at Tah Chat Chai, at the northern tip of the island, were called in to make the arrest.

The man was detained at Tah Chat Chai Police Station until three police officers from Samui arrived at noon today to escort him back to that island to face charges.

Samui Police duty officer Pumiwat Rodkerd told the Phuket Gazette from Bangkok that the alleged rape took place on March 15.

The woman said she willingly went out with the man before the alleged assault occurred, he said.

“We have to investigate further to find out exactly what happened,” he said.

The investigation would include review of a medical examination of the victim, Lt Pumiwat said.

The name of the Italian is known to the Gazette, but is being withheld pending filing of formal charges.