Thai immigration police have arrested a 58-year-old Canadian man accused of sexually assaulting female clothing-shop employees at major Bangkok shopping centres. Officers say he allegedly used the pretence of holding trousers against staff before touching them inappropriately.
The man, identified by police as Karim Abdul Nabil, was arrested on 10 September at a condominium in the Rama 9 area. He was wanted under a Criminal Court warrant on a charge of committing an indecent act against a person aged over 15.
Immigration Division 3 investigators carried out the arrest alongside Phahonyothin police station officers.
Police link case to at least three reports
The investigation began after an incident at a clothing shop in a well-known mall in the Lat Phrao area in late August. Police said a foreign man approached a female employee and asked to compare a pair of trousers against her body, before allegedly taking the opportunity to molest her.
After reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence, investigators said they found the suspect had allegedly used a similar method on at least three occasions in several locations. One of the reported incidents was at a shopping centre in the Chatuchak area.
The Criminal Court subsequently approved an arrest warrant. Immigration officers traced the suspect to the condominium in Rama 9, placed the location under surveillance and then made the arrest, police said.
Officers said they confirmed he was the person named in the warrant, then informed him of the allegation and his rights through an English-language interpreter.
Immigration action could follow a final case outcome
Police said the Canadian initially confessed and was handed to investigators at Phahonyothin police station for legal proceedings.
Immigration Division 3 said it will consider revoking his permission to stay in Thailand once the case has reached a final outcome. Authorities also intend to deport him and place him on a watchlist barring him from returning to Thailand.
Major General Songprode Sirisuka, commander of Immigration Division 3, said Thailand welcomes foreigners who enter the country in good faith, but will not provide shelter to people who cause trouble or threaten public safety.
He said members of the public can report inappropriate behaviour involving foreigners to the Immigration Bureau hotline, 1178, available 24 hours a day.
Pictures courtesy of MGR Online
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12 September 2026
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