Two Cambodian Men Detained After Chasing Thai Woman Home in Bangkok

A 31-year-old Thai woman, identified as May, is experiencing significant trauma after an alleged incident where two Cambodian men followed her home in Bangkok on July 21st, attempting to force entry into her residence. May reported that as she walked home around 11 PM after drinking with friends, two men near a wall caught her attention. Believing them to be acquaintances initially, she realized they were strangers as she approached. She clutched her bag and began recording them on her phone as she passed. The men allegedly called out, "Come have a beer with us," but she refused. Subsequently, one man in a red shirt reportedly ran towards her, prompting her to flee to her house. After locking the door, she claims the man attempted to reach through the metal gate bars, causing her to scream and threaten to call the police. CCTV footage showed the men leaving the front of her house only to return while she was on the phone with the police. She stated they tried to open the door again, forcing her to shout at them to leave. Following the incident, May posted about it on Instagram, and a relative, "Bank Talad Indy," helped organize local residents to find the suspects. The two men were apprehended on July 23rd. The first suspect was found in a rented room, and the second was located after residents tracked him down. Upon detention, the suspects apologized to May. However, she stated, "I already told you not to do it." May has been suffering from anxiety since the event, crying nightly and unable to sleep at her home. She has temporarily relocated and vowed to continue legal action against the men, expressing a strong desire to "not see them again." The girlfriend of the suspect in the red shirt, Chanvesna Touch, 24, visited him at the police station and apologized to the victim on his behalf. Sinh Sinh, his girlfriend of eight years and mother of their 10-month-old daughter, relayed that Chanvesna admitted to drinking heavily with Cambodian friends before the incident. He saw May walking by, called out to her, and then followed her. After reviewing the CCTV, Sinh believed her boyfriend's actions were inappropriate and that the case should proceed legally. She stated Chanvesna denied touching or assaulting May, claiming he returned to apologize after realizing she was frightened. She also mentioned the second man, in a white shirt, merely followed Chanvesna and did not interact with May. Sinh Sinh apologized to the victim, acknowledging her fear and stating she was not defending her boyfriend's actions, adding, "I am also a woman. If I were in that situation, I would feel scared too." Information Source: Khaosod English