Uthai Thani Crime: In Thailand’s Uthai Thani province, a local administrative officer has been accused of serious rape of a girl aged 15 years or less. However, the 65-year-old officer has denied the allegations. He says that his relationship with the girl was with her consent and he considered her his wife. The police have started investigation in the matter and the legal process is being taken forward. The case pertains to a woman, who has been addressed as ‘A’ in the report. Now his age is 20 years. Her family alleges that the officer allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted her since her primary school days. According to the family, this sequence continued until she became pregnant at the age of about 15. The family also alleged that the officer had threatened them. On September 18, the family again approached the police with medical evidence and demanded legal action in the case.
The 65-year-old officer, deputy chief of a sub-district administrative organization in Lan Sak district, arrived at Lan Sak police station for questioning on September 18. The police searched him before taking him to the interview room. The family had earlier alleged that the officer had tried to scare them by claiming to have guns. While talking to journalists, the officer clearly denied the allegation of rape with ‘A’. He admitted that the two had a relationship when the girl was about 15-16 years old. The officer described it as a consensual relationship and said that he considered ‘A’ as his wife. There was a discussion with the family regarding compensation.
The officer said that he had known ‘A’ since childhood. According to him, the girl’s family had hired him to drop her to school and bring her back. He also admitted that later there were talks with the family regarding compensation. According to the officer, some amount was given to the family and a written agreement related to the land was also signed. However, later differences between the two parties regarding money and terms of the agreement increased and relations deteriorated.
What did the officer say on the allegation of threat?
On the allegation of threat by the family, the officer denied any intention of harming anyone. He said that their aim was to scare the family, so that they stop contacting others regarding this matter. He also said that he never gave up on ‘A’ and is ready to defend his side in court. Also, he talked about legal action against those who harm his reputation through allegations. Action will be taken further on DNA testing and custody. Police made it clear that such criminal cases cannot be ended only through talks or mutual agreement. In the initial investigation, the officer has been accused of raping a girl of 15 years of age or less, which he has denied. After interrogation, the police planned to take the officer’s blood sample for DNA testing. After this, the process of taking permission from the court to keep him in custody till the completion of the investigation had to be taken forward. Further action in the case will be based on investigation and available evidence.