37-year-old suspect who allegedly assaulted Russian tourist in Pattaya released by police due to lack of victim’s testimony

[steven100]

7 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

Shame on you Thailand, this is a disgrace to the RTP!!!

your telling the wrong audience 

[sammieuk1]

Shocking day for the RTP image with this and other stories today the swamp is overflowing again ???? 

[Dan O]

37 minutes ago, Excel said:

But the victim was a foreigner and the accused a Thai. Nuf said

The victim never accused anyone as she has a loss of memory from the attack. The police tracked and identified him and then he admitted it, along with multiple other attacks in the past.  Something else is going on in the background it appears.  It wouldn't be surprising if he knows someone

,  is related to someone or there's some connection somehow 

[thaibreaker]

CCTV and the police did their job finding the guy. He openly admitted the crime, it was just to release his stress, he said..

 

Now he is released. Must be an upstanding Thai citizen.

Just another day in Thailand.

Nothing to see here. Next.

[Guderian]

There's a bad precedent here for the next Thai idiot who feels like  attacking a foreigner for no reason at all, other than that it 'makes them feel good'. Don't stop kicking and punching just because your adrenalin's running low, you've got to kick them in the head enough times to mentally incapacitate them, or maybe just blind them, so they can't identify you afterwards even if you're silly enough to admit to the crime. This is a vomit-inducing decision.

[aussienam]

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

As someone said elsewhere, do they release murder suspects based on the fact the victim cannot supply testimony? This is Keystone Cops behaviour.....

Why keystone cops? This is what happens nearly everywhere else in the world.  If there is insufficient evidence to lay charges then police have no choice.  Arbitrary detention of suspects attracts legal issues. Then then the public backflip and criticize police for holding people without enough evidence.  

 

A lack of identification evidence is a major issue in any investigation. If a victim's testimony (statement) lacks positive ID, then what can anyone do?  It applies anywhere from a shoplifting to a murder.  In a murder, the ID issues are often more difficult. 

 

Murder suspects are often tagged and released due to lack of evidence and if more evidence is obtained, then they can be re-arrested (as long as you are able to prevent them from leaving the country before you have legal rights to arrest).  Nothing new there.  Happens all over the world. 

 

We may speculate on what we read in news reports and its apparent accuracy and be critical but we do not know all the evidence or lack thereof on hand. 

 

ASEAN news journalists do not get 'carte blanche' access to all the police investigation either.  So often the news reports are full of missing parts and forum posters speculate on police investigations armed with limited information. 

 

The apparent reported admissions made by the suspect - let's see the video/transcripts/signed confession.  Was there any?  Was it done under duress?  

 

If the female was attacked, hopefully the clothing and anything else where the suspect may have touched or left DNA evidence behind (which by the way is not always guaranteed), has been retained and sent to forensic laboratories to compare against the suspect's DNA and fingerprints (if any) - to either match or eliminate him or remain undetermined. 

 

Hopefully there were crime scenes established and forensic evidence retained.  CCTV, phone records, possible other witnesses, etc, etc. 

 

I do realise that crime scene preservation and evidence collection procedures here do frequently fall short of other international standards though and forensic evidence can be contaminated/ruined. Other times they seem to get it right. 

 

I also get that there is also rampant corruption and systemic apathy towards crime solving (low wages, lack of training and accountability and local police culture). 

 

Media interest often means the case becomes higher priority and more scrutiny both from external and internal senior police management and hence more resources and specialist support. I hope so.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LikeItHot]

In another thread I pointed out how corruption was our greatest problem here and when it us us against a Thai we always lose and we can be victimized any day by anyone without reprecussion The bar stool warriors said I was crazy.  Didn't take long to prove my point.  

[The Hammer2021]

9 minutes ago, aussienam said:

Why keystone cops? This is what happens nearly everywhere else in the world.  If there is insufficient evidence to lay charges then police have no choice.  Arbitrary detention of suspects attracts legal issues. Then then the public backflip and criticize police for holding people without enough evidence.  

 

A lack of identification evidence is a major issue in any investigation. If a victim's testimony (statement) lacks positive ID, then what can anyone do?  It applies anywhere from a shoplifting to a murder.  In a murder, the ID issues are often more difficult. 

 

Murder suspects are often tagged and released due to lack of evidence and if more evidence is obtained, then they can be re-arrested (as long as you are able to prevent them from leaving the country before you have legal rights to arrest).  Nothing new there.  Happens all over the world. 

 

We may speculate on what we read in news reports and its apparent accuracy and be critical but we do not know all the evidence or lack thereof on hand. 

 

ASEAN news journalists do not get 'carte blanche' access to all the police investigation either.  So often the news reports are full of missing parts and forum posters speculate on police investigations armed with limited information. 

 

The apparent reported admissions made by the suspect - let's see the video/transcripts/signed confession.  Was there any?  Was it done under duress?  

 

If the female was attacked, hopefully the clothing and anything else where the suspect may have touched or left DNA evidence behind (which by the way is not always guaranteed), has been retained and sent to forensic laboratories to compare against the suspect's DNA and fingerprints (if any) - to either match or eliminate him or remain undetermined. 

 

Hopefully there were crime scenes established and forensic evidence retained.  CCTV, phone records, possible other witnesses, etc, etc. 

 

I do realise that crime scene preservation and evidence collection procedures here do frequently fall short of other international standards though and forensic evidence can be contaminated/ruined. Other times they seem to get it right. 

 

I also get that there is also rampant corruption and systemic apathy towards crime solving (low wages, lack of training and accountability and local police culture). 

 

Media interest often means the case becomes higher priority and more scrutiny both from external and internal senior police management and hence more resources and specialist support. I hope so.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately you are correct.  But logic doesn't fit the  obsessive anti Thai narrative  of many members of this forum. The cops and the authorities in general  really hate crimes against  tourists as it ruins their  narrative.

Let's hope this coward  is bought to justice. 

[brianthainess]

This makes no sense he already admitted the offence, oh i forgot where i was. 

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I read that the area of the assault was dark, no lighting. 

How is she able to provide positive testimony. 

 

I'd be searching the attackers house, go through his laundry looking for blood samples. 

 

Bloody lazy cops. 

 

HE already admitted it.

[spidermike007]

You honor, I rest my case. The Thai judicial system, and the RTP are completely and irrevocably broken. It is a system which simply does not work. He should be held in custody until she can and will testify. It does not matter how long, as he already admitted to being a pathological maniac and a hazard to society. You keep him locked up! Where is the justice for the victim? 

 

As sad as the whole thing is, it is a testament to the Thai people, what there is not more crime here, considering how poor the policing is.

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Don't get it. I thought he freely admitted it ? Justice my bottom, what about the next female he wants to vent his frustrations out on ? 

She'll either be dead or be too traumatized.

[Harveyboy]

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I read that the area of the assault was dark, no lighting. 

How is she able to provide positive testimony. 

 

I'd be searching the attackers house, go through his laundry looking for blood samples. 

 

Bloody lazy cops. 

 

but didn't he actually admit saying it was frustration..so got a confession and still can't ( don't want) to prosecute..only in thailand eh  Wonder what department of the BIB his family work in

[Harveyboy]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

You honor, I rest my case. The Thai judicial system, and the RTP are completely and irrevocably broken. It is a system which simply does not work. He should be held in custody until she can and will testify. It does not matter how long, as he already admitted to being a pathological maniac and a hazard to society. You keep him locked up! Where is the justice for the victim? 

 

As sad as the whole thing is, it is a testament to the Thai people, what there is not more crime here, considering how poor the policing is.

can't fix stupid eh 

[shackleton]

Welcome to Thailand especially Pattaya a world class Family resort 

Some Tourists must be wondering what's going on 

What about the Scottish guy getting battered usuing a dumbell in a gym by a other Brit who is also walking free after admitting the offence 

Clearly sent out the wrong message for Tourists 

[spidermike007]

4 minutes ago, Harveyboy said:

can't fix stupid eh 

It can be fixed, but there has to be motivation for change and reform. And if it were only stupid, it would not be so bad. But, it is the daily malfeasance, corruption, dishonesty, lack of truth, transparency, improvement, progress, forward movement, and quality policing that is the real issue here. To call the RTP Mickey Mouse, would be a huge insult to everything Disney. 

[brianthainess]

When my wife and I got attacked at night riding home on a M/C on a quiet country road, no way we would have recognized the attackers 5+, we managed to escape injury by gunning the bike, it was known where they lived the cops took in 7 from that place, a cop turned up at my house, "would you recognise them again" ''no'' he showed me two photos '' Now do you recognize them ?'' ''Yes'' i replied. 

[mikeymike100]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

As someone said elsewhere, do they release murder suspects based on the fact the victim cannot supply testimony? This is Keystone Cops behaviour.....

Your insulting the Keystone Cops!

[internationalism]

attacker have used his work car (not private one), as he is working at the government office.

So he well might have protection from his boss or institution.

As I understand the victim is still hospitalised. Possible suffered concussion from blow to her head with a wooden button - that might be permanent or temporary.

When discharged from hospital and remembering events, she can still testify.

She was attacked from the back and in complete darkness - I have seen on thai tv reconstruction of crime, probably based on reenactment.

Police should not close this case, but pursue the other mentioned attacks, search their records for closed cases.

Also interview females in his workplace, neighbourhood and appeal for public to come forward with other leads.

Police believed, that it was sexually motivated attack. 

This guy is sexual deviant and will hurt, possible rape and kill, his future victims.

 

[KhunLA]

IMHO ... and my opinion only, not based on any research.

 

That's why I believe many tourist are targets of petty, sometimes 'expensive' petty crimes, as the criminal knows, they won't be around to testify against them in court.  Which I believe is required for a conviction.  And would they return for the appeal process, IF, that is also necessary.

 

Strange news-blips state he basically confessed, but that's not enough to charge & prosecute ????

[JonnyF]

I'm pretty sure a previous report said he worked in a government office or had some kind of government job. Can't find it now, but if so I suspect he has some kind of connection that allowed him to buy his way out of this.

 

Pretty sickening either way, given that he confessed.

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Police traced him using CCRV and finding his Mazda pick-up.

After questioning he admitted the assault and others?

So they let him go...

Amazing work by the BiB, look-out next victim !!!!

 

No one can like this situation, obviously, but if the police have no actual evidence against him for the attack and the victim cannot testify against him in court, how far do you think a case could go if he pleads not guilty?   It wouldn't even get past the prosecutor's office.

[Dukeleto]

I hereby retract my original comment and praise of the RTP when they originally apprehended the suspect. Was it not reported here that he said he attacked her because he was frustrated??? The victim obviously cannot remember after being bashed unconscious! This story has so many holes it could be Swiss cheese!

[Dukeleto]

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

No one can like this situation, obviously, but if the police have no actual evidence against him for the attack and the victim cannot testify against him in court, how far do you think a case could go if he pleads not guilty?   It wouldn't even get past the prosecutor's office.

I disagree. He told police he did it. Any judge with their salt would not accept a not guilty plea with that evidence from the police themselves. Had he protested his innocence from the very beginning I would have agreed with you.

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Who can really know what has gone on in the background but I will say this, the reason given for releasing him is not credible.

It's to do with evidence and the chances of getting a conviction if he pleaded not guilty. With apparently no evidence against him for the attack and no testimony from the woman, no prosecutor would indict him.

[internationalism]

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I'm pretty sure a previous report said he worked in a government office or had some kind of government job. Can't find it now, but if so I suspect he has some kind of connection that allowed him to buy his way out of this.

 

Pretty sickening either way, given that he confessed.

yes, he drove a car with the government registration plate. 

Having home a car from his workplace, allowing him to drive around after his work hours, might be pointing, that he is a senior civil servant and not just delivery van driver.

Cars from workplace are usually tagged with tracking devises, to check on car usage, speeding etc.

Based on this record police can track his movements night time and around the lake area, to see, if he also was involved in similar attacks in the past.

But if he is a senior position, police won't get involved further. If he is rich, he shut them down with envelope

[bbko]

You'd think when the guy confessed the cops would keep questioning him and try to extract exact details about this case and the others he mentioned. 

[internationalism]

13 minutes ago, bbko said:

You'd think when the guy confessed the cops would keep questioning him and try to extract exact details about this case and the others he mentioned. 

yes, if he claims psychological problems, that includes self-harm (he claimed he slashed his arms), he should be kept locked in hospital for up to 2 weeks observation.

That would allow police to conduct investigation into other cases.

Now he is able to destroy any evidence at his home and at his workplace (buy off any females who he possibly offended there).

police knows, he is a sexual predator, but don't want to pursue 

[Aussieroaming]

The RTP must have run out of plastic bags to go over the suspects head in order to obtain a confession

[internationalism]

5 minutes ago, Aussieroaming said:

The RTP must have run out of plastic bags to go over the suspects head in order to obtain a confession

there are financial gratifications coming only, if he is alive. They can blackmail him every few months.

If he is dead, he is useless for them.

He confessed without any duress. He came to police station after arrest warrant was issued.

I think there was reenactment with him, that's why on tv there was animated simulation of attack