A 50-year-old police captain in Yasothon has reportedly admitted to raping a 17-year-old girl and has been suspended from duty.
Pol Capt Kampanat Pimphu, who is attached to the Pa Tio police station, was arrested after the victim filed a complaint alleging he raped her near the station when she was unable to pay a fine for riding a motorcycle without a licence.
An investigation was launched after the case was revealed by the Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai District Must Survive) Facebook page.
The Facebook page posted a message claiming a student had been raped by an officer near the station. The claim sparked calls for a probe, with Ekapop Luengprasert, founder of Sai Mai Tong Rod, asking deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn to look into the allegation.
Pol Capt Kampanat initially faced a charge of raping a minor under 15 using force and threats. An order was made to immediately suspend him.
Pol Capt Kampanat on Wednesday was remanded at Yasothon Provincial Court for 12 days due to concern he may flee or tamper with evidence as he is facing a serious offence. The court denied him bail.
The suspect declined to comment on the charge directly. "Please extend my apologies to her [victim] and her family, and I apologise to everyone and to the Royal Thai Police," he said.