A construction worker accused of raping a New Zealand woman in Bangkok on Saturday has been arrested in Chon Buri after three days on the run.
Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, chief of the Immigration Bureau, on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of rape suspect Anat Ouddee.
Mr Anat, 34, a construction worker wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court on rape charges, was apprehended at a rented house in tambon Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district of this eastern province on Tuesday and was later taken to Samran Rat police station in Bangkok for interrogation.
The arrest was made after a New Zealand tourist, 29, filed a complaint with Samran Rat police, saying she was raped at a construction site opposite Wat Rajbophit in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, chief of the Immigration Bureau, confirms the arrest of the alleged rapist. (Photo taken from @Policenewspage Facebook page)
Police examined CCTV footage from the area, which showed a woman dressed in black getting out of a taxi at 2.33am on Saturday. She sat down on the kerb at the entrance to an alley.
A man is seen entering the alley and then stopping to talk with her as she sat with her head lowered.
The man then took her hand and led her down the alley towards the construction site.
The woman later sought help from police.
Pol Maj Gen Surachate said Mr Anat confessed he had tried to have sex with the woman, but claimed he was not successful. The suspect admitted he found the woman, apparently drunk, and led her away in hopes of having sex, Thai media reported.
Interrogators were not convinced and were awaiting forensic and DNA test results.
A background search of the suspect's record found no prior criminal convictions, and no traces of illicit drug use were found in his body. He was held in police custody for further interrogation.
