Man and wife charged with rape, await court date in jail

PHUKET: A man charged with raping a 14-year-old undocumented Myanmar migrant worker, and his wife who helped him carry out the crime, remain incarcerated pending a court date.

“We are still preparing evidence against both suspects – including fingerprint testing,” Lt Palita Kangsing of the Khuk Khak Police told the Phuket Gazette today.

Lt Palita said Mr Ko-Nai and his wife, both Myanmar nationals, would remain jailed in Phang Nga Prison until the case went to court.

“Our investigators are trying to conclude police work as fast as possible,” he added.

According to the 14-year-old girl’s initial accusation, Mr Ko-Nai and his wife offered to take her to a market not far from the construction site where she stayed with her family. On the way back, Mr Ko-Nai raped her (story here).

The victim, whose name has been withheld by police, is now under the care of the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) in Phang Nga.

“The girl and her family have since moved out of the construction camp and will remain at the FED until the case is concluded,” said Lt Palita.

Mr Ko-Nai is charged with rape of a minor, while his wife is charged with aiding and abetting a person to commit rape, under section 277 of the Thai Criminal Code.

If convicted, both face fines of between 8,000-40,000 baht and imprisonment of 4-20 years, or both.

— Natthaphol Wittayarungrote