Chiang Mai: A Chinese tourist visiting Chiang Mai Zoo was arrested after he allegedly molested a female student intern. The authorities apprehended the tourist and handed him over to the police for prosecution. The incident has led officials to consider revoking his student visa, which he used to stay in Chiang Mai while attending an institution in Lamphun Province.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage from within the zoo recorded the incident involving the 37-year-old Chinese tourist, identified by his green shirt and glasses. The footage shows the tourist exiting an exhibit and, as he passed a female student intern who was feeding turtles, he reportedly grabbed her buttocks. The intern screamed in shock, prompting the man to walk away as her friends looked on. She then sought assistance from fellow employees, leading to the arrest and subsequent transfer of the suspect to Phu Ping Police Station with the CCTV evidence.
Pol. Col. Manatchai Intheun, Superintendent of Phuping Rajanives Police Station, stated that the tourist faces initial charges of indecent assault, which carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. The authorities released the suspect on bail, confiscated his passport, and have ordered him to appear in court on June 1st. Further action involves a proposal to the Chiang Mai Immigration Police to revoke his student visa, as he used it for his stay and studies in the region.