PHUKET — Police have arrested a 19-year-old Bolt taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a South African teacher during a late-night ride in Thalang District.
The suspect, identified as Chalermphetch from Trang Province, was apprehended at his rented room in Moo 7, Thepkrasattri Subdistrict before midnight on the same day the complaint was filed.
Following an investigation of the victim’s app usage records, Thalang Police Station detectives tracked down and arrested the suspect at his accommodation. Officers found evidence including the South African teacher’s belongings in his possession, leading to his immediate transfer to investigating officers at Thalang Police Station for prosecution.
The Incident
The 28-year-old victim, who works at a private school in Phuket, filed her complaint on the morning of August 24, alleging she was sexually assaulted while being transported to her accommodation in Pa Klok Subdistrict.
The victim stated that on Saturday night she had been drinking with fellow teachers at a restaurant in the Bang Tao area of Cherng Talay Subdistrict. Between 1:00-1:30 a.m. on Sunday, she called for a Bolt taxi service. During the journey, after dropping off another passenger, the driver allegedly stopped the white sedan in the Somboonsab area of Sri Sunthon Subdistrict and sexually assaulted her in nearby bushes.
A good Samaritan discovered the incident, causing the driver to flee. The citizen called emergency services, and police responded to assist the victim. She initially only requested police escort to her accommodation but filed a formal complaint the following morning. Investigating officers took her statement and arranged medical examination at Thalang Hospital to collect evidence.
________
