American tourist arrested over 'rape' of girl, 3, in Thailand

A middle-aged American tourist was accused of allegedly raping a three-year-old girl in Thailand.

The suspect, whose name was not revealed by police, was said to have sexually assaulted the toddler at a rented house on Phuket island on September 22.

A tenant told officers she was returning home from visiting a friend when she noticed the girl lying on a sofa at the apartment.

The American man was sitting next to the girl as she allegedly complained of pain in her genitals.

Somwang claimed that the suspect then took the girl, bathed her, and put a diaper on her, but the youngster still said that her vagina hurt. Somwang instructed her to remove the diaper and was horrified to see it stained in blood.

She rushed her to a hospital, where the girl reportedly received stitches for a torn vagina.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Warawut Sensoep of the Chalong Police Station said Somwang and a psychologist from the Vachira Phuket Hospital filed a report about the suspected rape at 2:42pm on September 23.

Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, said the suspect was questioned by provinicial and tourist police at the residence on September 25 afternoon.

He said today, September 26: 'Yesterday at 2pm, we briefly questioned the suspect, but he refused to say anything. We cannot reveal his name yet, but he is an American man, aged around 40.'

The police chief added that investigators had 'substantial evidence' to obtain an arrest warrant from the Phuket Provincial Court.

The alleged paedophile reportedly entered Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Visa (NON 90) on December 8, 2023. The visa was set to expire on March 12, 2025.

Neighbours said they often saw the man and his wife visiting the girl's home bringing diapers, snacks, and milk. They claimed he appeared to be drunk on the day of the alleged molestation.

Authorities said the investigation was ongoing.