Teens arrested for assaulting and robbing Japanese tourist

Seven youths, between the ages of 13 and 17, were arrested on Thursday night for allegedly robbing and assaulting a Japanese tourist, who was lost near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station. The suspects told police they attacked the tourist with their fists to rob 1,400 baht.

The arrests followed an incident at around 8.30pm on Wednesday, when a Japanese tourist took a wrong turn while trying to find the entrance to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.

He wandered into a public park behind the station in Soi Asok-Din Daeng, where seven male teenagers on two motorcycles approached him and demanded money.

When the tourist refused to hand over the money, the group attacked him, punching him and hitting him with stones before fleeing the scene. The victim sustained injuries.

Police identified the injured tourist only as Yuki, 43.  After the attack, Yuki fled to the entrance of the alley, where he encountered a motorcycle driver, who helped him. The tourist also lost his credit card during the incident, according to Pol Col Urumpon Khundetsamrit, chief of Makkasan police station.

At about 7.20pm on Thursday, Pol Col Sakkaya Saengwan, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, together with investigators from Makkasan and Din Daeng police stations, managed to detain all seven suspects.

Four teens among seven suspects, who allegedly robbed and attacked a Japanese tourist near Makkasan Airport Rail Link. All were arrested on Thursday night. (Photo: Thai Police Facebook page)

The juveniles were tracked down and apprehended at residential flats near Din Daeng Police Station.

During questioning, the teens reportedly said they had used only their fists to attack the victim and had not used any weapons. Some of them were carrying knives at the time of the assault, but insisted they did not use them.

The group allegedly took about 1,400 baht from the tourist and divided the money among themselves. They told police they had already spent the money.

The teenagers also reportedly admitted that they had previously robbed other people using the same approach on various occasions. They said that most people gave them money without hestiation, but since the Japanese tourist refused, they attacked him.

Police said a multidisciplinary team would be brought in on Friday to conduct a joint interview with all seven juveniles before authorities consider charges and proceed with legal action.

Source – Bangkok News