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In the ‘Brits subjected to ’Clockwork Orange’ attack story once again I am the bearer of bad tidings about violent crime in Thailand but in this case it is foreigners doing unspeakable things to foreigners.
This is not an attack on Thailand, although once again, I believe this demonstrates that , no matter how many foreign funded courses they attend, Thai police are still not mentally geared up to properly handle cases involving woman and children, or sex crime in general.
Once again George’s cowboys at Thaivisa.com have saddled up again on the forum and are on their ’sensational journalism’ gig. But I have to say the story which appeared in today’s ‘Daily Mail’ only touches upon the real horror of what this couple claimed to have happened to them. And this is a story which I suspect has not ended.
I gave the story the ‘Clockwork Orange’ tag, because this incident reminded me of a scene in that film. The film of course is a bit historical and this may not mean much to someone under thirty!
Anyway despite many well publicised cases in Thailand, rapes of foreigners are more often committed by foreigners here. Tourism breeds contempt and this latest incident will not do anything to dispel that. I feel a certain resignation both among the police and Embassy officials about what foreigners will do next.
That means I suspect that often genuine victims may not get the full counselling they need.
Anyone who has dealt with victims of date rape drugs will know the absolute agony and torment these people go through. It will be with them for the rest of their lives.
I believe the couple. People on Koh Chang believe the couple. But to ask the couple to go through a court ordeal in Thailand…well that’s a different matter. Police here often do not treat victims with kid gloves. The two Britons have exposed themselves to a certain extent. That shows considerable bravery. But all they want to do is warn other people.
They had after all just been around the world and the worst thing that happened to them was committed by a sneak thief in Ecuador.
In this case the suspected drug was ‘Dormicum’. Thats a generic form of ‘midazolam’ which is used in operating theatres by surgeons who want their patients to co-operate during surgery. It is also given to Death Row prisoners in the United States before execution.
So I guess if it makes people feel happy to be executed its going to have a similar affect on a woman who is subjected to unspeakable acts in a bungalow on Koh Chang.
Legal provisons dictate that I cannot tell you much more than what a nice, level head couple these people are. I have to change the names, ages, and be very vague about their occupations.
Whats more there are photographs. Photographs taken by the couple before this happened. And without doubt photographs taken by these low-lifes themselves when it was happening.
Despite their ordeal they were very complimentary about Thailand and feel the country is generally safe certainly a lot safer than some South American countries they have recently had to negotiate.
And why indeed should not they feel safe striking up a conversation with an English girl and a group of Frenchman at a beach bar in Thailand?
Not suprisingly ‘Richard’ wanted to get ‘Susan’ home as soon as possible. He has told the Embassy he will return to complete his statement and both will give evidence should any arrests be made. They feel concerned about the justice system and want DNA tests on materials conducted separately by the Home Office in the UK. Yesterday (Saturday) they submitted themselves for medical and forensic examination at the BNH in Bangkok. They also liaised with the British Embassy
They are also coming to terms that in due course their identities will have to be revealed if they are to pursue this case through the courts here.