Swiss arrested on child molestation charges
PHUKET CITY: A former Swiss bank employee and tourist to Phuket has been arrested in Chiang Mai on charges of sexually harassing boys under the age of 15.
Region 5 Police identified the alleged pedophile as Swiss national Cornel Josef Wietlisbach, age 54.
Mr Wietlisbach’s arrest followed a one-month investigation by police and Swiss Embassy officials.
Police made the arrest after questioning his alleged victim, a 14-year-old hilltribe boy living on the streets near the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is one of the northern city’s most popular tourist destinations.
Mr Wietlisbach allegedly paid hilltribe boys 2,000 to 4,000 baht for sexual services each time.
The trysts, typically involving two of more children, were carried out in a room in a luxury hotel that the accused rented out on a monthly basis.
Police said Mr Wietlisbach also rented another room in the same hotel, where he stayed with a ladyboy whose age was not reported.
Following his arrest, Mr Wietlisbach confessed he had been coming to Thailand as a sex tourist since 2004.
He first came to Phuket for his one-month holidays in 2004, but later decided to spend his time in Chiang Mai.
Police made the arrest after collecting enough evidence to have a court warrant issued.
Police have so far charged Mr Wietlisbach with one count of molesting a child under 15. Investigations continue.
— Gazette Reporters
