Man claims ignorance of statutory rape regarding sex with 13-year-old
A 28-year-old contractor who was arrested in Bangkok on Wednesday for allegedly luring a 13-year-old girl over Facebook to have sex with him in Phrae province in 2015 claimed he did not know about statutory rape, said Crime Suppression Division deputy chief Pol Col Jirapop Phuridej.
Following his arrest at a restaurant in Soi Lat Phrao 101 area, the contractor, Sarawuth Pankhamkaen, reportedly confessed to the crime but said he did not intend to cause harm to the girl, adding that at the time he did not know she was only 13 years old.
He also said he loved her but their relationship had not worked out so he broke up with her.
Sarawuth claimed that he had not known his relationship with the girl was illegal because it had been “love” for him.
He was charged with statutory rape, molestation of a minor under 15 and taking a minor away from her parents.
A police investigation found that Sarawuth, a native of Phrae province, in 2015 had allegedly used the Facebook chat application to lure several young schoolgirls in Phrae to have sex with him before ending each relationship.
One of the alleged victims filed a police complaint, resulting in an arrest warrant.