Student rape report denied by police

RASSADA: An unknown intruder broke into a room in a women’s dormitory yesterday afternoon and assaulted a 16-year-old student, but police are denying reports in the local Thai-language media that the girl was raped.

Duty Officer Capt Attapol Wannasaengthong of the Phuket City Police responded to the report of the attack, which took place at about 5:15 pm at a women’s dormitory at 164/1 Thepkrasattri Rd in Rassada.

The victim, a 16-year-old student at a well-known secondary school, answered a knock on the door after she heard someone call out, he said.

She was assaulted by the man, who fled after the girl screamed for help and the husband of dormitory owner Sainamfon Prasertsap ran to her aid, Capt Attapon said.

Preliminary evidence obtained by the police include the number of the red license plate of a white Yamaha Mio motorcycle on which the attacker fled and a wristwatch he left behind at the scene.

The girl did not sustain any serious injuries in the attack, but was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for examination, he said.

Capt Attapol declined to release further details about the attack, saying there has not yet been a complaint filed.

K. Sainamfon is expected to soon file a complaint of trespass, while the victim will lodge a complaint of assault, he added.

Apart from denying that the girl was raped, Col Attapol declined to comment on other details of local press reports. He also refused to give a physical description of the attacker until the girl had given her statement.

The girl, whose name was not disclosed, is a native of Phang Nga’s Takuapa District, he said.