PHUKET: The Commander of Phuket Police, Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun, has reprimanded Chalong police for their handling of a rape allegation involving a young German tourist and a resort receptionist.
Police were ''very, very slow'' to investigate the claims and the case had not been handled with care and consideration, friends of the German woman said.
As a result of complaints, Major General Chonsit has affirmed the need for great consideration to be given to all women who claim to have been raped, and for Phuket's only female police officer to take the lead in interviewing alleged victims.
He offered his apologies in particular to an Irish family friend of the German woman.
The Irishman felt so intimidated by police behavior last month that he subsequently abandoned his plan to live on Phuket and left the island.
It is believed a Tourist Police officer who was involved in the case is also likely to be disciplined. The Tourist Police officer attempted to bring the alleged rapist to his alleged victim ''so he could apologise.''
At one stage, the Irishman later said, six policemen entered the room to interview the alleged victim at Chalong Police Station.
The German woman, aged 20, later gave a statement to police at Phuket City saying that the 19-year-old resort receptionist dragged her into a resort room where the alleged rape took place.
Although the receptionist told Chalong police that he did not commit the rape, he later tearfully admitted to a judge in a hearing at Phuket Provincial Court: ''It wasn't quite like full sex. It was only for five minutes.''
Judge: ''Did she agree with you to have sex?'' Accused: ''No.''
Phuket Provincial Prosecutor Boonthop Lanthong has since said that, despite reports to the contrary, Phuketwan was entitled to freely report the accused's court room admission.
The accused is now on bail, awaiting trial. The German woman, who was planning to travel on for an extended holiday in Australia, returned home instead.
The concept of having a female police officer involved in all rape cases was first suggested by Phuket's honorary consuls to Commander Chonsit's predecessor in the role, Major General Pekad Tantipong.
Major General Pekad organised for Lieutenant Nuchchari Rongkeaw to come to Phuket. He told her that she had complete freedom to become involved in rape cases, wherever they occurred on Phuket.
Major General Chonsit has since reiterated Lieutenant Nunchari's autonomy, especially in cases involving allegations made by tourists on Phuket.
Police were ''very, very slow'' to investigate the claims and the case had not been handled with care and consideration, friends of the German woman said.
As a result of complaints, Major General Chonsit has affirmed the need for great consideration to be given to all women who claim to have been raped, and for Phuket's only female police officer to take the lead in interviewing alleged victims.
He offered his apologies in particular to an Irish family friend of the German woman.
The Irishman felt so intimidated by police behavior last month that he subsequently abandoned his plan to live on Phuket and left the island.
It is believed a Tourist Police officer who was involved in the case is also likely to be disciplined. The Tourist Police officer attempted to bring the alleged rapist to his alleged victim ''so he could apologise.''
At one stage, the Irishman later said, six policemen entered the room to interview the alleged victim at Chalong Police Station.
The German woman, aged 20, later gave a statement to police at Phuket City saying that the 19-year-old resort receptionist dragged her into a resort room where the alleged rape took place.
Although the receptionist told Chalong police that he did not commit the rape, he later tearfully admitted to a judge in a hearing at Phuket Provincial Court: ''It wasn't quite like full sex. It was only for five minutes.''
Judge: ''Did she agree with you to have sex?'' Accused: ''No.''
Phuket Provincial Prosecutor Boonthop Lanthong has since said that, despite reports to the contrary, Phuketwan was entitled to freely report the accused's court room admission.
The accused is now on bail, awaiting trial. The German woman, who was planning to travel on for an extended holiday in Australia, returned home instead.
The concept of having a female police officer involved in all rape cases was first suggested by Phuket's honorary consuls to Commander Chonsit's predecessor in the role, Major General Pekad Tantipong.
Major General Pekad organised for Lieutenant Nuchchari Rongkeaw to come to Phuket. He told her that she had complete freedom to become involved in rape cases, wherever they occurred on Phuket.
Major General Chonsit has since reiterated Lieutenant Nunchari's autonomy, especially in cases involving allegations made by tourists on Phuket.
ONE female officer in Phuket is simply not enough!
Rape is not the only time that a female would prefer to be interviewed by a female rather than a male officer.
Posted by G Horne on June 12, 2012 11:30
Editor Comment:
Sure. But females are a recent addition to the force and there are only a limited number of graduates from police college so far.