Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Bureau apprehended a rape suspect early Wednesday morning, who wore an orange taxi motorcyclist vest and was searched on Royal City Avenue in Bangkok. The man had been masquerading as a taxi motorcyclist, targeting inebriated women from various nightspots.
Identified only as Thanapat, the 35-year-old suspect was arrested with his motorcycle around 5 AM in the Huai Khwang district. According to Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, the investigative commander, a search of Thanapat’s mobile phone revealed shocking evidence: a video of his most recent victim urinating and vomiting while intoxicated in bed. Further investigation uncovered similar videos of five other women and other disturbing content related to child molestation.
The arrest came after a Chinese woman filed a complaint at the Phaya Thai police station, stating she woke up naked next to a man in a motel, with clear signs of having been raped. She reported the presence of semen in her body, confirming the assault.
Police investigations revealed Thanapat’s modus operandi. He typically donned the guise of a taxi motorcyclist, prowling nightspots between 1 AM and 5 AM when pubs and clubs began to close. His ploy was to look for intoxicated victims in need of a ride.
On the fateful Monday night, the Chinese woman, who had been waiting for a rider on Royal City Avenue after calling for one through an app, was approached by Thanapat. Pretending to be the rider she had summoned, he led her to a motel on Rang Nam Road, where he allegedly raped her for about two hours.
Thanapat, however, denied all charges. He claimed that the encounter was consensual and even stated that the other women recorded on his phone were sex workers. Despite his assertions, Pol Maj Gen Theeradet expressed disbelief in his story, emphasizing that evidence suggested Thanapat frequently targeted intoxicated women at nightspots. The commander urged any additional victims to come forward and file complaints.
The investigation also revealed Thanapat’s criminal history. He had been prosecuted for theft twice, once in Phayao in 2008 and again in 2012. In 2018, he was also prosecuted for illegal gambling in the Huai Khwang district.
As authorities work to consolidate their case against him, they are also keen on ensuring no other potential victims remain unheard. The Metropolitan Police Bureau continues to seek any further information that could aid in providing justice for the survivors and hold the perpetrator accountable.
This is horrifying. How can someone even do such things?
It shows how some people can be absolutely devoid of empathy. Sickening.
Yes, but also we need to ask how he managed to evade police for so long. This is more than just about an individual’s depravity.
Good point. The police need to be more proactive in preventing these atrocities.
Totally agree. The police really need to improve their surveillance in nightlife areas.
This is why I never trust motorbike taxis in Bangkok.
Not all motorbike taxi drivers are bad. It’s unfair to generalize based on one criminal.
True, but it’s hard to trust anyone when stories like this come up.
The punishment for such heinous crimes should be much harsher.
Indeed. A slap on the wrist is not enough for serial offenders.
Harsher punishments might deter others from committing similar acts.
But we also need to ensure due process. Rushing to judgment can lead to more injustice.
Wasn’t there any way to track his criminal history earlier to prevent these occurrences?
You’d think so! He had a clear pattern. The system definitely failed here.
Exactly! More stringent background checks should be mandatory for anyone working around nightspots.
Why do people assume the worst without knowing the full story? Maybe he’s innocent till proven guilty.
The evidence seems pretty damning though.
Yeah, videos on his phone say a lot. Pretty hard to fake that.
This draws attention to a larger societal issue about the safety of women in nightlife settings.
Absolutely. More measures need to be put in place to protect vulnerable individuals.
And yet some will still argue that men are the ones misunderstood. Ridiculous.
Precisely. The evidence points squarely to a man exploiting his position.
Exactly. Society needs to stop ignoring the blatant evidence.
He needs to face the highest penalty. No mercy for predators.
Agreed. His actions are beyond forgiveness.
Still, everyone deserves a fair trial and investigation.
The community should respond strongly to support the victims.
Yes, victims should never feel alone or ashamed.
I can’t believe he had a gambling record too. Seems like a total sociopath.
It makes you wonder how many other such predators are out there.
Exactly! It’s terrifying to think about.
Right? It makes me much more cautious.
The whole system needs a revamp to ensure such people can’t slip through the cracks.
Agreed. From screening to monitoring, everything needs better oversight.
Absolutely. Prevention is key.
You can see why some people say the city isn’t safe at night.
True, but I think the bigger issue is individual accountability. People should be more aware of their surroundings.
This is why better training for law enforcement is crucial.
Agreed. They should be better equipped to handle and prevent such crimes.
Makes me question why people don’t carry personal protection devices.
An absolute travesty! This criminal should never have been allowed to operate unchecked.
Horrific! Prayers for the victims. Justice needs to be swift.