The incident occurred early in the morning, when the victim narrowly escaped harm with the help of a hotel security guard and bystanders.
According to police, the girl, referred to as ‘Ploy’ (a pseudonym), was waiting for her school bus near the entrance of Soi Bluma in Kamala when a man approached her at about 5:50am.
The suspect reportedly asked if her bus had not arrived yet. When Ploy did not respond, the man grabbed her by the neck and threatened her with a knife, attempting to drag her into the alley.
Fortunately, a hotel security guard and nearby residents noticed the commotion and intervened, forcing the suspect to release the girl.
When her bus arrived, the driver found the girl crying near the hotel with several villagers standing nearby to comfort her.. The driver later took her to school and reported the incident to her family and the Kamala Police.
Upon receiving the report at 10:30am, Kamala Police Chief Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang ordered an immediate investigation. With assistance from village leaders and security footage, authorities identified the suspect as Han Mo Aung, a 39-year-old Myanmar national residing at a nearby workers’ camp.
Within 12 hours of the initial report, police arrested Han at the workers’ camp and seized key evidence, including the knife allegedly used in the incident and the clothes he wore at the time.
Pol Col Somsak commended the cooperation between local authorities, residents and community leaders, stating that their vigilance and prompt actions were instrumental in resolving the case quickly. “The involvement of the hotel security guard and residents in assisting the victim reflects the strong sense of community in Kamala,” he said.
He also urged parents to accompany their children to bus stops, particularly in secluded areas, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Han faces multiple charges, including staying in the country illegally, attempted abduction for indecent purposes and unlawful use of a weapon. At last report, he remained in custody at Kamala Police Station for further questioning and legal proceedings.