A man has been arrested in Suphan Buri province for alleged sexual abuse of a schoolgirl and videotaping it for sale on his Facebook messenger and Twitter accounts.
Police apprehended Suchart Charoenphol, 37, in front of a school in Muang district of Suphan Buri on Thursday night.
He was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Suphan Buri Provincial Court on charges of sexually molesting a 16-year-old girl and human trafficking by producing or distributing child pornography for sexual exploitation.
The arrest followed a tip-off that porn videos and other material had been put on sale on social media by Facebook user “Lerk Khui Thang Amphor’’ via his Facebook messenger, Pol Col Apisant Chairat, a superintendent of the Anti-Human Trafficking Suppression Division, said on Friday.
Anti-human trafficking police investigated and later an undercover officer posing as a customer ordered a video from the Facebook user, who gave a bank account in the name “Suchart Charoenphol’’ for payment.
The girl in the video was found to be a Mathayom Suksa 4 (Grade 10) student in Suphan Buri.
Investigators brought in officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to help the girl, Pol Col Apisant said.
The girl told officials she had met Mr Suchart through Twitter. They had chatted at first and over time became close. One day, he picked her up on his big bike after she attended a tutorial course.
He said he would take her on a tour around, but they ended up in a love hotel where he sexually abused her. He also videotaped sexual acts and took still photos.
Afterwards, she was fearful and ashamed, and dared not tell anyone what happened.
Investigators obtained court approval to arrest Mr Suchat,
Pol Col Apisant said they found pornographic videos and stills of the 16-year-old victim on his mobile phone.
Mr Suchart allegedly confessed to all charges and was held in police custody for legal action.
He was suspected of having preyed on other girls and the investigation was continuing, Pol Col Apisant said.
Police show an arrest warrant to suspect Suchart Charoenphol, 37, blue shirt, for alleged sexual abuse of a girl, 16, and videotaping it for sale on social media. (Supplied photo)