A Trang man suspected of raping his eight-year-old daughter who later died has retracted his confession after an unsuccessful suicide attempt.
The 33-year-old man who is a native of tambon Nong Trud in Muang Trang district changed his mind about his confession when police interrogated him further. Police also sought his extended detention with the court of Trang province on Wednesday.
The man, whose name is being withheld, said he had confessed because of heavy pressure.
It was reported that the man tried to hang himself with a drawstring in his cell at the Muang Trang police station on Tuesday. Police were able to stop him.
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On Wednesday staff at Trang Hospital advised local police not to take the man from the hospital to the provincial court for fear of a repeat suicide attempt.
Police take the 33-year-old father to the Trang provincial court on Wednesday. (Photo by Methee Muangkaew)
But after two hours of talks, the man appeared less stressed and hospital staff let police take him to the court. The man looked exhausted while being escorted by police officers.
The rape reportedly happened at the girl's home in the early hours of May 10. The girl was reportedly drugged with methamphetamine before being raped. She suffered severe internal bleeding and died later at Trang Hospital. The father reportedly abused methamphetamine.
The girl's mother, 31, said on Wednesday that she did not think her husband raped their daughter because he loved the girl very much.
The mother said the girl's clothing might be stained with his semen because he had used the girl's cloth to wipe it after having sex with the mother three days before the rape. However, she said she would accept the outcome of DNA tests.
Police gathered samples from the father, an arrested neighbour aged 20 and six other suspects for DNA tests and the results would be known within this week.