Motorcyle-Taxi Driver Who Raped Australain Woman Surrenders to Police

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BANGKOK – The Motorcycle tax driver accused of raping an Australian tourist turned himself in to police in Khon Kaen on Thursday.

Mr Ekburut Ritrakkhaphan 32, told police he went to Sakon Nakhon to seek help from a friend after police intensified the hunt for him. He could not contact his friend so he sought help from a relative in Khon Kaen, who later contacted local police to arrange for his surrender.

According to Khaosod Mr. Ekburut told police he often rode his motorcycle to Khaosan Road late at night because he knew it was a good place to find inebriated women getting out of the bars. He said he saw the Australian woman, who appeared to be drunk, near the Khok Wua junction, so he approached her.

During interrogation, Mr Ekิburut denied he had raped the young woman, claiming she consented to have sex with him, police said.

He said she got onto his motorcycle of her own will and on the way she had hugged and fondled him, arousing his desire. He then headed to the deserted Wattachak building on Boromratchonnanee Soi 43 in Taling Chan district, where he had sex with her one time. He then left, leaving her there alone.

The suspect was handed over to investigators from Metropolitan Police Division 7 and Taling Chan police station, who were there to take him back to Bangkok to face rape charges.

Mr Ekburut had been convicted of similar offenses in the past and was released from prison just two months ago.

Source: Khaosod | Bangkok Post