PATTAYA — Immigration Police Division 3 arrested two Swiss nationals in Pattaya for sexual offenses against minors. Both arrests occurred around the same time and were announced on February 19.
The first suspect, Mr. Rudolf, age 68, collaborated with a Thai accomplice to contact the guardian of a girl (alias “A”) in Surat Thani province, requesting to adopt her and offering to fund her education at a school in Chonburi province. The guardian, believing it would benefit the child, allowed her to live with Mr. Rudolf.
Later, Pattaya Police received complaints about his sexual abuse of the child. After investigation, they obtained a search warrant for his residence, where they found external hard drives and flash drives containing explicit photos and videos of the girl in various situations, including bathing. During questioning, the girl confirmed she was molested and forced to pose in various ways, with the suspect using intimidation when she refused.
On February 18, Pattaya Police arrested and charged Mr. Rudolf with possession of child pornography for sexual exploitation and committing indecent acts against a child under 13 years old, regardless of consent, using coercion against a person under his authority.
He was initially granted bail but fled before sentencing. Immigration officers and Pattaya Police later found him hiding in an apartment in Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, and arrested him.
The second suspect, Mr. Oliver, age 41, entered Thailand as a tourist on April 4, 2023. He used the Tinder application to solicit sexual services from a Thai female minor under 15 years old. He fled before being prosecuted. On February 18, 2025, when he re-entered Thailand, he tried to evade arrest by hiding in a hotel in Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi.
Immigration Investigation Division officers arrested him, and the Chonburi Provincial Court immediately issued an arrest warrant for “taking away a person under fifteen years of age from their parent, guardian or caretaker for indecent purposes,” “taking a person under fifteen years of age for indecent purposes regardless of their consent,” and “sexual intercourse with a minor under fifteen years of age who is not their spouse, regardless of consent.”
Police Major General Chairit Anurut, Commander of Immigration Division 3, stated that authorities prioritize foreign nationals’ criminal cases, especially sexual offenses, noting that victims of such crimes suffer tremendously. He explained that the two cases differ in detail – the first suspect clearly used financial status as a means to access the victim, while the second claimed the victim was willing and that he was unaware of her true age. He warned tourists using dating apps to be cautious.
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