Man to stand trial for attempted rape of Australian tourist

PHUKET: The Office of the Phuket Public Prosecutor has confirmed that it will prosecute a man for the attempted rape of an Australian tourist on Koh Maphrao, east of Phuket, in November.

The man, who has yet to be named by police, surrendered to officers after staff at a resort on the island notified police of the incident, and officers were immediately dispatched to investigate the claim (story here).

“We have agreed to officially charge the suspect for rape, under Section 276 of the Criminal Code,” said Pornsuk Pengsung, the deputy chief of the public prosecutor’s office and the lead prosecutor in the case.

“The case will be signed off by January 30 and filed with the Phuket Provincial Court, then it will move to trial.”

Both Ms Pornsuk and Capt Nucharee Longkaew of the Phuket City Police, who investigated the attempted rape, declined to name the suspect until the verdict has been handed down.

The suspect is free on bail granted on November 11, Ms Pornsuk said, but added that he will be called to trial when the time comes.

“The victim will not need to be present to testify as we already have her statement,” she added.

— Voratuss Intasee