A man who impersonated a modelling agent was arrested yesterday at a condominium in Bangkok for allegedly duping pretty models before raping and stealing from them.
Denphum Wattanachotpinyo, 39, from Nonthaburi, was nabbed at a condo in Soi Phoemsin 20 in Bangkok's Sai Mai district.
Mr Denphum was wanted on three arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court and Thon Buri Criminal Court in connection with various charges, including rape, threatening to cause harm, depriving others of their freedom, threatening and intimidating others and theft.
Police said 36 women had lodged rape complaints against Mr Denphum.
Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said yesterday that Mr Denphum would claim he ran a modelling agency that hired pretty women as hostesses to serve drinks for customers at various hotels.
He would arrange to first meet the women at the location of his choice.
Then, when they came face to face with him, Mr Denphum would use a knife to force them to take drugs before raping them. On some occasions, he would also steal valuables from them, said the officer.
He would also record the attack in a video clip which he used to blackmail the victims.
Initially, about 10 victims lodged complaints with various police stations, such as Bowon Mongkol police, Bang Khunthian police and Prachachuen police.
Faced with arrest warrants, Mr Denphum went into hiding in the Sai Mai area where he was arrested.
Pol Col Wiwat Chitsophakun, superintendent of CSD's sub-division 3, said Mr Denphum denied all the charges and insisted he and the women had had consensual sex.
Mr Denphum was taken to Bang Khunthian police station, where he is being detained for questioning.