The arrest was carried out under the coordination of the Department of Provincial Administration’s Special Operations Unit, the Phuket Provincial Administration and local police, using a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court.
The man, a hotel employee, was arrested while leaving his house in Phuket Town at 7am yesterday (Jan 16).
The operation was announced at a press conference held at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday afternoon. Present at the briefing were Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri; Isra Charoenchasri, Director of the Volunteer Defense Corps Office; Sakchai Rojanarat, Director of the Law Enforcement Operations Center; and other senior officials.
They detailed how the suspect lured the boy, committed the assaults, and filmed the incidents, later sharing them in private online groups.
The arrest followed a tip-off received through the non-governmental organisation ’For Freedom International’, reporting the suspect’s activities.
Investigations revealed that the suspect targeted minors, including a 15-year-old school student, using deception to lure victims and coercing them into sexual acts, often in public spaces.
The suspect was a runner who would join running activities in various areas to find victims before luring them to sexually abuse them at the appointed place, sometimes luring the child into group sex.
Evidence recovered from the suspect’s residence, including video clips, mobile phones and other incriminating materials, linked him to multiple victims across Phuket and other provinces.
Officials also disclosed that over 1,400 explicit video clips involving young male victims were found on the suspect’s phone, some of which depicted group assaults.
The arresting team has initially charged him with 3 counts, including the charge of possessing child pornography for sexual exploitation for himself or others, which is an offense under Section 287/1 of the Criminal Code; the charge of abducting a minor aged 15 but not more than 18 from his father, mother, guardian or caregiver for profit or for indecency, with the minor willingly going, which is an offense under Section 391 of the Criminal Code; and the charge of importing into a computer system any computer data that is obscene and that the general public may have access to, and disseminating or forwarding computer data while knowing that it is obscene.
According to the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550 Section 14 (4), and if additional evidence is found that the accused took the child’s video clips and images to seek other benefits, additional charges of human trafficking will be filed.
Further investigations are ongoing to identify and assist additional victims while gathering evidence for potential human trafficking charges, Vice Governor Ronnarong said.
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of society, making them at high risk of being deceived or exploited in criminal activities. It is everyone’s responsibility to help protect them and ensure their safety. Possessing child pornography is illegal under the law, regardless of its source, as the law aims to prevent the exploitation and abuse of children. Such materials perpetuate harm and encourage further abuse,” Vice Governor Ronnarong noted.
“The public plays a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable groups by staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activities. Citizens are encouraged to report any concerns related to child exploitation to the Damrongtham Center hotline at 1567. Together, we can create a safer and more secure society for all,” he added.