Bangkok: Police are preparing to coordinate with the Army to extradite the soldier who sexually assaulted a woman. Chanasongkhram Police Station, April 16 - Update on the soldier sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl: Police, along with multidisciplinary professionals, are urgently questioning the victim and investigating whether there are additional perpetrators before coordinating with the Royal Thai Army to have the soldier formally charged.
According to Thai News Agency, the progress in the case began when a victim reported via the "Sai Mai Must Survive" Facebook page that she was physically assaulted and sexually abused by a group of individuals claiming to be soldiers. The incident took place in a public restroom near Khao San Road in Bangkok on the night of April 14th during the Songkran festival. Pol. Maj. Gen. Worasak Pisitbannakorn, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, stated that the victim, being a 15-year-old minor, must be questioned by a multidisciplinary team as per legal procedures. This questioning is scheduled for today. The police are currently gathering evidence and investigating the facts, especially to determine if there were more than one perpetrator. CCTV footage has not yet indicated the presence of additional accomplices.
The initial charges may include "rape" and offenses against a minor, although a thorough investigation is required to confirm these charges.
Regarding the Army's role, if the suspect is indeed a soldier, court jurisdiction must be considered. If the offense was committed alone, it may be tried in a military court. However, if a civilian is involved, it will proceed through the normal criminal court process. After interviewing the victim, the police will coordinate with the suspect's unit to formally charge them and detain them for 48 hours before proceeding with legal procedures.
Mr. Ekkapop Lueangprasert mentioned that investigators from Chanasongkhram Police Station, along with multidisciplinary professionals, will further question the victims. Additionally, on Monday (April 20th), they plan to take the victims to the Ministry of Justice to request witness protection and receive compensation as victims of a criminal case.