South Korean TikToker alleges sexual harassment by Phuket man

A South Korean TikToker is seeking justice, claiming that a Thai man sexually harassed her while she and her friend were working in Phuket.

The Phuket Times shared the story of the South Korean TikToker, known as DD, today, October 11. The page stated in the caption…

“Another scandal! Foreign TikToker sexually harassed in Phuket.”

In the comment section, the page included two videos of the victim. The first video showed two South Korean women arguing with a Thai man in a white shirt, who is believed to be the suspect.

The second video showed DD trying to tell her story to her followers using a translation app on her mobile phone. As a result, the details remain unclear.

According to reports from local news agencies in Phuket, DD travelled to Phuket for work. She said she was contacted by an agent who claimed he could find her a job in Thailand’s entertainment industry if she paid US$8,000, or about 270,000 baht.

The agent introduced her to a man named Lek before she arrived in Phuket, and Lek took care of her and her friend while they were in the province. Lek took them on trips around Phuket, and the sexual harassment allegedly occurred during one of these trips.

DD told her followers that she initially did not have any suspicions because Lek always told her that he loved her like his own daughter. However, Lek seemed to touch her too much, holding her waist and hands the entire time while they visited Nai Thon Beach. DD added that the man also touched her thighs while she sat next to him in the car.

DD said she asked Lek to stop his behaviour but he continued. According to DD, Lek had been drinking alcohol and was drunk. At one point, he kissed her on the cheek, leaving saliva on her face. This left her shocked and frightened.

Touchy feely

DD decided to return to her accommodation but Lek followed her and her friend. He even touched her bottom while they were in the lift. He attempted to hug and kiss her multiple times, so DD and her friend asked him to leave them alone.

DD stated that Lek became angry, which is seen in the argument captured in the video. He allegedly threatened to cancel all of DD’s work.

DD and her friend decided to return to South Korea and demanded that Lek and the agency pay for their flights and refund the money she had paid for the job but she received nothing.

Another local Facebook page, Taodoi Runner, shared a video of Lek defending himself today. In the video, Lek claimed that he was not involved with the agency or any business and denied sexually harassing DD, as she had claimed.

Lek emphasised multiple times in the video that he saw DD as a daughter and did not want to speak publicly about the issue because he was concerned it might affect DD’s reputation. He stressed that he cared for her and had no ill intentions.

Many netizens have urged news agencies to provide an interpreter so that both parties can clarify the matter publicly, and to proceed with legal action if Lek is found guilty.

According to the Facebook page, DD and her friend are still in Thailand but would change to stay in Bangkok instead of Phuket for her safety.