Massage therapist escapes from 'rapist' and takes refuge with neighbours

A masseuse escaped from an alleged rapist who attacked her in a forest in Thailand.

The woman, named in reports as 'Miss A', 45, claimed she was taking a stroll along Jomtien Beach in Chonburi province when motorcycle driver Aphisit Chuensakul, 36, approached and struck up a conversation, early morning on August 6.

Upon learning Miss A worked as a massage therapist, Aphisit reportedly invited to drive her to give a one-hour massage for a foreign client.

Miss A said she agreed, but Aphisit reportedly took her to a remote cassava plantation instead, where he was said to have assaulted her, threatened her with a knife, and robbed her of her phone and 4,000 baht in cash.

The terrified woman claimed she managed to escape while Aphisit was pulling down his pants to rape her. She ran into the nearest neighbourhood around a mile away and took refuge in the house of a resident who called the police upon seeing her disheveled appearance.

Police Sub-Lieutenant Sanya Jaijan of the Nong Prue Police Station said they received a report at 6:30 am.

He said: 'We took the victim back to the plantation to help us find clues about the suspect, before taking her to the hospital for a medical examination.'

Officers found at the scene motorcycle tracks, a pair of shoes, a condom, and receipt Miss A had been keeping as a lucky charm.

CCTV footage along the route showed Miss A riding with Aphisit to the forest.

Police launched a search for the suspect and tracked him down to a rented room near the Chakngeaw Market on August 7 afternoon.

A blue Honda Wave motorcycle matching the one seen on security footage was found outside.

When the officers knocked on the door asking to search his room, Aphisit tried to flee, but was arrested.

He claimed he had met with Miss A the night before to sell her a gram of crystal meth. However, he saw her again several hours later to collect payment, she said she did not have any money.

Aphisit allegedly said: 'I told her to get on the motorcycle so we could discuss the matter elsewhere. But when we arrived at the cassava plantation, she didn't want to talk and just slapped me.

'I attacked her in my anger, and stole her phone as payment for the meth. I never intended to assault or rob her.'

Police said Aphisit tested positive for drugs. He was detained while the Nong Prue Police Station were gathering evidence to charge him with assault and robbery.