Thai police from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) arrested a 68‑year‑old Canadian man, identified by authorities only as James, in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on 1 June. He was wanted on a warrant issued by Sikhio Provincial Court on 22 January for the rape and sexual assault of a 15‑year‑old student. The suspect had previously been a maths teacher and assistant director at an international school in Nakhon Ratchasima.
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The victim’s parents hired James to give private tuition at their home for three years, at 500 baht per hour, two hours a week. On 20 October 2025, he allegedly lured the girl into a bedroom during a lesson and forcibly raped and assaulted her.
After the attack, the teenager told her parents, who took her to Pak Chong police station. Officers seized video clips and pornographic images from the suspect’s phone.
James was granted temporary release on bail while the case was in court. He then allegedly sold personal belongings, including gold, to fund his attempted escape.
The victim’s family sought help from The HUG Project, a non‑profit that protects abused children and from ATPD police. Investigators found James hiding with a foreign friend in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Pictures courtesy of Daily News
Daily News reported that during questioning, James claimed he had quarrelled with his Thai girlfriend and only wanted peace, he had not intended to flee from police. He has been handed over to Sikhio Provincial Court to face legal proceedings.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 2 June 2026