Minivan driver arrested over 'rape of Ukrainian tourist' on Thai island Phuket
A minivan driver was arrested for allegedly raping a Ukrainian tourist who asked him for help in Phuket, Thailand.
Sukun Homsawat, 42, was said to have attacked the young woman, 20, while she was asking for directions to the Mueang District to see her friend.
Posing as a Good Samaritan, he allegedly offered to take the stranded tourist to her destination himself before allegedly yanking her inside his van to assault her.
He then dropped off the traumatised young woman back to her hotel in Tambon Kamala in the Kathu District following the attack.
She later told a friend what happened, and the pair filed a report with the Patong district station early morning on April 6.
The alleged victim told police she used a ride-hailing app to take her to her hotel but became lost while walking the rest of the way.
She added that she approached Sukun and asked to share his WiFi before the alleged rape.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage in the area to trace the vehicle. Within hours, they tracked down and arrested the suspect at a snooker club in the Ratsada subdistrict.
He allegedly confessed during questioning. He was also found positive for illegal drugs.
Police Colonel Chatri Chukaew said: 'We found that the incident occurred inside the van on the Chalerm Phrakiat bypass road. Currently, officers are questioning Mr Sukun before handing him over to the inquiry officer for further legal action.'
Officials did not clarify the charges filed against Sukan.
Under Section 276 of the Thai Penal Code, rape is punishable by four to 20 years in prison, and a fine between 80,000 to 400,000 baht.
Phuket has seen a surge of Russians and Ukrainians relocating or staying long-term to escape conscription, sanctions, and instability, with Russians becoming one of the island's largest tourist and expat groups
