Thai man who carried out brutal sex attack on American tourist has sentence slashed

 

A Thai man who sexually assaulted an American tourist in Krabi has had his sentence halved, it was announced on Friday.

 

The man, Apai Ruangwong, 28, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attack on Hannah Gavios in September.

 

Ms Gavios, 23, who in trying to flee her attacker fell off a cliff face and broke her spine remains in hospital in New York and is learning to walk again using crutches and specially made leg braces.

 

Ms Gavios still has no feeling in ankles, feet or back side, the New York Times reported.

 

Ms Gavios was teaching English in Vietnam when she took a holiday to Krabi. It was there where she asked Mr Apai for help in finding her way back to her hotel.

 

However Mr Apai took her into woods and began attacking her.

 

As she fled the attack she fell more than 150 feet off the edge of a cliff.

 

Mr Apai then found Ms Gavios as she lay helpless. He then proceeded to sexually assault her, before praying next to her only to then finally go and get help.

 

Originally sentenced to 10 years in prison, Mr Apai’s sentence was reduced to a maximum of 5 years after he pleaded guilty to obscene behaviour and carrying out the attack on Ms Gavios.

 

“I am dismayed that it is automatically cut down to five years because of a guilty plea,” Ms Gavios’ mother told the New York Times.

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-10-29

Mother doesn't understand Thainess. It was only a farang. 

Sounds as if the normal half sentence if admit guilt - nothing to do with being farang.

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

Sounds as if the normal half sentence if admit guilt - nothing to do with being farang.

 

 

But is it normal that this halving comes 2 months after the initial sentencing?

Appallingly lenient sentence and hate to think of what effect the annual amnesties have on the length of time that will eventually be served.

Don't know:  but report said "automatic", but reporting here as if abnormal.

10 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Sounds as if the normal half sentence if admit guilt - nothing to do with being farang.

Yeah right. 

 

There is never going to be justice here until scum like this piece of crap are given sentenced that match the crime. 

Disgusting.  The value they put on farangs is appalling.  You get more for kicking a soi dog.

Shows the uphill tasks in correcting the existing system...

29 minutes ago, Anthony5 said:

But is it normal that this halving comes 2 months after the initial sentencing?

 

The woman was attacked on September 1st, today is October 29th.  Where does your "2 months" come from?  How long does an investigation and court case take?  There is no way that his sentence was reduced 2 months after the initial sentencing.

Edited October 29, 20169 yr by gdgbb

17 minutes ago, Tatsujin said:

No this is NOT normal, the sentence is reduced if they admit guilt BEFORE sentencing, not 2 months after.

 

Either way, it's flat out wrong and disgusting and more than likely involves a payoff somewhere along the lines.

 

The piece of shit should be castrated for a beginning, however it's not too late for that to happen if the family is willing to do things the "Thai" way.

 

Another one with the bizarre "2 months" idea.  It's not even 2 months since the attack and there has to be time for a court case, what are you talking about?

 

Edited October 29, 20169 yr by gdgbb

Beggars belief

Pretty much standard legal practice in Thailand for most crimes....admit guilt and the sentence is reduced by half. 

5 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

 

The woman was attacked on September 15/16th, today is October 29th.  Where does your "2 months" come from?

 

Misinterpretation of the writing in the OP on my part, or wrong formulation on  the part of the journalist, who will say.

 

The man, Apai Ruangwong, 28, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attack on Hannah Gavios in September.

 

And articles in New York Times like this will help to keep numbers  of Tourists up,

 

From that article.

"She remains hospitalized in New York and is learning to walk using crutches and custom leg braces. Doctors said her condition may improve as the nerves regenerate."

"Thailand has remained popular with visitors despite a series of attacks on tourists in recent years, including the murder of two British tourists and the rape of two Frenchwomen."

 

Disgusting beast and disgustingly lenient sentence. Fate was not kind to  Ms Gavios to have encountered this depraved guide.

 

 

This poor girl could easily have died, I wonder how the news story would have been reported then.................Young Farang girl falls to her death - no foul play suspected she was drunk

 

This scumbag is dangerous I very much doubt it is the first time he has committed such a crime 

15 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

 

Another one with the bizarre "2 months" idea.  It's not even 2 months since the attack and there has to be time for a court case, what are you talking about?

 

 

You are correct, my mistake on the dates and I'll edit that portion.

50 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Sounds as if the normal half sentence if admit guilt - nothing to do with being farang.

Wrong. If a foreigner had done this do really think he would be given a five-year sentence?

48 minutes ago, Anthony5 said:

 

 

But is it normal that this halving comes 2 months after the initial sentencing?

Good point.  I thought the sentence was halved at the time of sentencing.

 

We need a Thai lawyer to clarify this point.

27 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

 

Another one with the bizarre "2 months" idea.  It's not even 2 months since the attack and there has to be time for a court case, what are you talking about?

 

So much you could say about this case...and THIS is your concern?

It may be according to the law- but what terrible law, is this?

Lets at least hope he will stay inside for 5 years. And then what ? 

And for publicizing your personal opinion on the web you'll get what?

There are people in this country who  were sentenced to much longer jail time for picking mushrooms.

Edited October 29, 20169 yr by Lupatria

1 hour ago, nottocus said:

Mother doesn't understand Thainess. It was only a farang. 

Yes, Mother should make a new one....no problem......mai pen rai....

Because the powers that be are scared it might be their sons who commit this appalling act next

and it was only a farang

Edited October 29, 20169 yr by whatproblem

Cheers to all the politicians and officials who are always soo eager to protect tourism and Thailand's reputation: this is what's called a double-whammy, enjoy.

33 minutes ago, jingjoke said:

 

Disgusting beast and disgustingly lenient sentence. Fate was not kind to  Ms Gavios to have encountered this depraved guide.

He looks as though he will be right at home in prison. 

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Sounds as if the normal half sentence if admit guilt - nothing to do with being farang.

So what way did he plead when he got the 10 years? 

As she fled the attack she fell more than 150 feet off the edge of a cliff.

Mr Apai then found Ms Gavios as she lay helpless. He then proceeded to sexually assault her, before praying next to her only to then finally go and get help.