Koh Tao rape investigation team returns from UK tomorrow

Thai police expect to finalise their investigations next week into the alleged rape of a British tourist on Koh Tao a few months ago. The immigration police chief Maj-Gen Surachate Hakparn has been leading the investigation.

Representatives of the Royal Thai Police team travelled to the UK last month to interview the 19 year old British woman who claimed to have been drugged, raped and robbed on the island in June.

The team is due to return to Thailand tomorrow with evidence provided by UK police, such as a sperm-stained shirt, according to Surachete.

“It will take a week following their return to conclude if the rape is proved to be real. If she tells the truth we will invite her to Thailand for further questions,” Surachate said.

He told the press conference that he has not received any initial report from the team whether the alleged victim still stood by her previous statements.

He revealed that the investigating team received good cooperation from the alleged victim in the interview which involved both Thai and English interpreters as well as UK officers.

Surachate denied that the alleged British victim had been blacklisted by Thai authorities from entering the Kingdom and vowed to bring justice to all sides in the matter.

In August, Thai police went to the island to investigate and gather further evidence relating to the case.

They initially said they found no evidence to support the rape claim. The finding was criticised and prompted further investigations in London.

Thai Police have also arrested 12 Facebook users for sharing posts about the alleged crime and commenting on them at the “CSI LA” page on Facebook, allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act.

As well as the 12 suspects, two others are still at large; one is Pramuk Anantasin, administrator of “CSI LA” Facebook page and Suzanne Emery, British publisher of the online newspaper and Facebook page Samui Times.

Police have accused them of reporting false information concerning the rape claim.

STORY: The Nation