Dutch Man Given 37 Years Over Paedophilia

Two men given jail terms over paedophilia

A Dutch national and a Thai man were handed lengthy prison sentences yesterday over the molestation of a Thai boy.

Willem Gerard Knoppien, 52, was given a 37yearlong term for molesting the 12yearold victim, while Thanes Bualuang, 35, faces a term of 26 years and eight months - a sentence commuted from the original 40 years following his confession and cooperation with the police.

Even though there are no photos or DNA evidence proving the molestation of the young boy in five encounters between March 2007 and January this year, the Criminal Court said the boy's testimony that he had been molested and sodomised by Knoppien was believable.

The judges said they were convinced that Knoppien was a paedophile due to crucial evidence presented in court, including nine pornographic magazines featuring sex acts between grown men as well as grown men and boys that were found in his home. Knoppien admitted that the magazines belonged to him.

Apparently, Thanes admitted to bringing the boy to Knoppien's home in Hua Hin on six occasions, during five of which the youngster was sexually violated.

-- The Nation 2009-07-17