An 84-year-old woman has been left seriously injured after being assaulted and subjected to an attempted rape inside her home.
Rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation received a call from local residents around 3pm on Monday, reporting that the woman had been attacked in her single-storey wooden house beside a canal in Moo 3 of Bang Chalong sub-district in Bang Phli district.
Upon arrival, they found the victim lying on her bed with multiple injuries. She had a broken right little finger, a head wound, severe bruising on her chest, a deep laceration on her left wrist, and another wound behind her ear. First aid was administered before she was taken to a nearby hospital.
The victim told authorities she was alone when an unknown man entered her home late at night, violently beat her and attempted to rape her.
Speaking in broken Thai with what she described as a Khmer accent, the assailant assaulted her until she was badly injured. He remained in the house until around midnight, repeatedly attempting to rape her, before eventually leaving.
Initially, rescuers were informed that the victim had suffered a fall. However, after they spoke with the woman directly, it became clear she had been attacked. Her injuries, including the fractured finger and deep wounds, were consistent with a violent assault.
Neighbours said the woman usually lived with her son, who was away at work during the attack. They added that she normally kept her doors locked and rarely encountered strangers in the area, though migrant workers were often seen passing through in the mornings and evenings. Shocked by the incident, they said they never imagined anyone could inflict such violence on her.
The victim, who was previously in good health, reportedly lost consciousness during the ordeal and only regained awareness later that afternoon, when she managed to open her door and call for help.
Police in Bang Phli on Tuesday arrested a 53-year-old suspect, and said he was a Thai and not a migrant worker as initially speculated and reported on social media, according to a Samut Prakan-based reporter writing on the ????? ?????? Facebook page.
Investigators have detained the suspect, identified only as Jo, after CCTV video and scratch marks found on his body raised strong suspicions. Under intensive questioning, he confessed to the crime.
Police said Mr Jo admitted to scaling the side of the elderly woman’s home after drinking strong liquor and becoming drunk. He told officers that he covered her mouth with his right hand and molested her, before striking her twice when she resisted. He claimed he did not inflict further physical harm.
He further confessed to attempting rape, but said he was unable to complete the act. According to his testimony, he fled the scene after the victim began chanting prayers, which caused him to feel remorse.
Investigators have charged Mr Jo with assault and indecent acts, while additional charges of night-time trespassing and rape are pending the results of medical examinations and further evidence.
Police have opposed bail and will seek to remand the suspect into custody when he is brought to the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on Thursday.