RAYONG — 3 June 2026, A woman holidaying with friends on Thailand’s Koh Samet island escaped an attempted sexual assault after an intruder allegedly entered her resort room during the night, prompting her group to cut short their stay and return to the mainland.
The incident gained widespread attention after a member of the group posted an account on social media describing security concerns at a luxury beachfront resort in Ao Cho, a popular area on the island in Rayong province.
According to the post, a group of tourists, including men, women, a pregnant woman and children, had checked into the four- to five-star resort when the incident occurred during their first night.
The woman allegedly fought off the attacker and screamed for help before her boyfriend intervened, causing the suspect to flee.
The post criticised the resort’s response, claiming staff took a long time to arrive and that no security personnel were immediately available.
The writer also questioned remarks allegedly made by the resort manager, who reportedly suggested the group remain in their original rooms and move the victim to another room while continuing to offer the affected room to other guests.
The group later decided to leave the island, saying they no longer felt safe staying at the resort.
Police said the incident was reported to Phe Police Station in Rayong province.
Investigators identified the suspect as Nattapong, 31, a construction worker employed at a nearby building site. Officers tracked him down and arrested him while he was allegedly gambling online using a mobile phone.
During questioning, the suspect allegedly confessed that he had seen the victim staying in a room near his work area and acted on impulse. Police said he entered the property at night intending to sexually assault her but fled after she woke up and shouted for help.
The 32-year-old victim told investigators she had been staying on the island with about 15 friends when she heard unusual noises outside her room. She said she discovered a man attempting to force his way inside and screamed, causing him to run away.
Police have charged the suspect with:
- Attempted rape
- Night-time trespass
- Illegal online gambling
He has been transferred to investigators for further legal action.
The resort later issued a statement saying the suspect was not an employee but a construction worker from a nearby site. It said the property had security measures and CCTV coverage in place and had not ignored the incident.
The resort added that it would strengthen screening procedures for non-guests entering and leaving the premises.
Provincial police said Rayong’s police chief is scheduled to visit Koh Samet on 4 June to inspect the scene and discuss additional safety measures aimed at preventing similar incidents.
