Thai Women 'raped, Robbed' By Chat-room Partner

Women 'raped, robbed' by chat-room partner

BANGKOK: Police yesterday warned women not to trust "friends" made in cyberspace after a man was arrested on suspicion of robbing at least two women lured from chat rooms, and of raping one of them.

The suspect, Natkarn Kayabutr, 26, was arrested late on Wednesday night shortly after he allegedly raped and robbed a female university student at a short-time motel on Lat Phrao Road.

Colonel Warawut Thaweechaikarn, commander of Paholyothin police station, said a second woman yesterday accused Natkarn, a salesman, of luring her to a motel and robbing her.

Warawut said a third woman called his station yesterday and said she would also come forward to file robbery charges against Natkarn.

Police combed Soi Lat Phrao 23 late on Wednesday night after a worker at the motel found the 19-year-old student tied up and naked inside a room.

The worker noticed Natkarn leaving the room alone, so he checked the room and found the student bound at the wrists and ankles with strong adhesive tape.

Police found the same type of tape and a cutter on Natkarn, as well as valuables he had allegedly taken from the student.

The student told police she had chatted with Natkarn on the Internet numerous times before agreeing to meet him at a department store on Wednesday night.

She said Natkarn offered to take her home in a taxi, then forced her at knifepoint to go to a hotel with him. She said Natkarn had tied her up and raped her before fleeing with her valuables.

Colonel Yannaphol Yangyuen, deputy commander of the Police Information Centre, yesterday urged women not to trust people they meet in chat rooms.

He said many people who struck up friendships via the Internet lied about themselves and posed a danger to women.