Trang: The Crime Suppression Division police have arrested a 64-year-old man for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Trang Province before fleeing to Pattalung Province. The suspect attempted to evade capture by running into a rubber plantation but was apprehended.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Somporn, also known as Taporn, was arrested by the Human Trafficking Suppression Division (HTSD) after almost a year on the run. He was hiding in Koh Tao Subdistrict, Pak Phayun District, Phatthalung Province. Upon the police's arrival, Mr. Somporn attempted to escape by fleeing into a nearby rubber plantation, but due to his age, he was quickly captured by authorities.
The arrest stems from incidents earlier this year when Mr. Somporn, a resident of Tambon Nam Phut, Amphoe Mueang, Trang Province, sexually abused a 12-year-old girl from his neighborhood on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred on January 14, 2024, when he lured the girl into a rubber plantation, committed the crime, and threatened her to stay silent. The frightened girl returned home without disclosing the incident.
The second incident took place the following day, January 15, 2024. Mr. Somporn attempted to repeat the crime, but the girl cried for help, prompting him to stop. He then gave her 100 baht and warned her not to tell anyone. Overcome with fear, the girl reported the incidents to her grandmother, who then filed a complaint with the Muang Trang Police Station.
Following the complaint, police conducted an investigation and sent the girl for a medical examination, which confirmed the abuse. Authorities gathered evidence and secured an arrest warrant for Mr. Somporn on charges of raping a child under 13, taking a child under 15 for indecent purposes, and abducting a child under 15 from their guardian for indecent purposes.
Mr. Somporn had fled the village by the time the case came to light. However, Crime Suppression Division police tracked him to Phatthalung Province, where he was eventually arrested. During the initial interrogation, Mr. Somporn confessed to the crime. He was subsequently taken to Trang City Police Station to face prosecution.