A 15-year-old girl who was raped on Khaosan Road during Songkran has been questioned. Her father revealed she is currently showing signs of depression and requires close care, while the private soldier who committed the crimeis set to surrender tomorrow.He will be prepared for detention at the military court.Bail will be opposed.
In the case of the mother ofMs. A (a pseudonym)aged 15,a grade 10 studentat a secondary school in the Dusit area, the victim went to seek help from Mr. Ekaphop Luangprasert, founder of the "Sai Mai Must Survive" page, reporting that her daughter was raped by a group ofprivate soldiers from a certain unitwhile playing in the Songkran festivities on Khaosan Road. The incident occurred at 00:30 on 15 April inside a temporary restroom beside a hotel on Tani Road, Talat Yot subdistrict, Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. After the incident, the victim's older brother reported it at Chana Songkhram Police Station.
Later, at 12:00 on 17 April 2026, at Chana Songkhram Police Station,Ms. A,aged 15, the victim, accompanied by her mother and older brother, met with Police Lieutenant Chayut Tangkhunsombat, Deputy Investigation Chief of Chana Songkhram Police Station, the case officer, and a multidisciplinary team including police investigators, social workers, psychologists, and public prosecutors for a joint testimony.
Police Lieutenant Chayut said that the victim is currently being questioned. Initially, there is only one perpetrator. After questioning, all evidence will be gathered before sending a letter to the unit of Private Soldier Phasit Gomahi, aged 20, from the 1st Army Area, Royal Thai Army, to bring the suspect to face charges of child abduction, rape of a person over 15 but under 18, and unlawful detention. The charge of assault is still under consideration. There is no need to request an arrest warrant because the suspect has confessed to his commanding officer and is already in custody, and will be immediately prosecuted.
Police Lieutenant Chayut added that the suspect is expected to surrender tomorrow, 18 April. There will be formal questioning despite the suspect's confession to his superior. Police have authority to detain him for 48 hours and expect to send him to military court on Monday. Although the military court operates half-day on Saturdays, the process might not be completed then, depending on the commanding officer's decision. Regarding the victim's medical examination, which normally takes 1-2 months, the commanding officer expedited it at Vajira Hospital, expecting results within 1-2 weeks.
The victim's father revealed that his daughter finished grade 9 and was about to enter grade 10. Since the incident, she has shown signs of depression. He and the victim's mother take turns caring for her, fearing she might harm herself. Today, he took leave from work to accompany his daughter for questioning. He allowed the mother and older brother to join the multidisciplinary team's examination. He wants the police to bring the perpetrator to justice quickly and ensure a severe penalty.
At 17:30, Police Colonel Nipon Nithikarnlert, Superintendent of Chana Songkhram Police Station, disclosed that after nearly five hours of questioning the girl with the multidisciplinary team, they reviewed the entire sequence of events including how the two met and what happened inside the restroom. Initially, the private soldier approached and started talking to the girl, trying to get to know her, but she did not consent to go with him.
The latest video showing them walking together does not affect the case, as this is a child abduction case and the victim firmly stated she did not consent to any sexual act. The soldier's act of forcibly entering and assaulting her in the restroom is a clear offense.
Nevertheless, the police have requested the suspect from his unit. The private soldier will be brought to the investigators on 18 April at 08:30 to be detained before noon at the military court.