Chinese Women Turn Tables on Kidnappers in Pattaya

PATTAYA, Thailand – A case involving three Chinese women allegedly kidnapped, detained, and sexually assaulted by four Chinese men in Pattaya has taken an unexpected turn, after the women escaped and went to Thai police. The case has attracted attention not only because of the serious allegations against the four suspects, but also because of the circumstances surrounding how the group came into contact. According to reports, the suspects allegedly used WeChat to arrange meetings with the three women before carrying out the alleged kidnapping and demanding money. The women were reportedly targeted because the suspects believed they would be reluctant to seek help from Thai authorities. That assumption appears to have backfired. After escaping, the three women reportedly chose to report the incident to police, triggering an investigation that led to the arrest of four Chinese men. The suspects face serious allegations including unlawful detention, sexual assault and extortion. The case has also raised questions about the underground networks connecting Chinese nationals in Thailand through online platforms. Thai authorities have previously dealt with cases involving foreign nationals using social-media and messaging applications to arrange illicit activities, although the specific circumstances and allegations in this case remain matters for investigators and the courts. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The story has generated considerable reaction online because the alleged perpetrators reportedly believed they had found vulnerable targets who would remain silent. Instead, the women sought help and brought the alleged crimes to the attention of Thai authorities. For the suspects, what may have been planned as an opportunity to exploit their victims has instead resulted in criminal proceedings. For the three women, the decision to report the alleged crimes has put the focus firmly back on the alleged perpetrators and the responsibility of Thai authorities to investigate the case. The case remains subject to the legal process, and allegations against the suspects should not be treated as proven until determined by a court. (function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push(["_mgc.load"])})(window,"_mgq");