A 21-year-old songtaew driver turned himself in to police yesterday after a passenger claimed he went off the route and tried to assault her.
A 20-year-old university student, whose name was withheld, told the police she intended to take the songthaew to her home in the Nong Chok district, around 9pm on Friday. After she realized driver Satawat Kaewsuko was driving the wrong way, she pressed the bell hoping to get out of the vehicle, but he started speeding.
As the car reached Lam Pla Nao bridge in Nong Chok district, the student decided to jump out of the vehicle. The driver then exited and pursued her. He reportedly grabbed her chest and threatened to “strangle her to death” before dragging her back into the driver’s seat, but the victim was rescued by a passer-by just in time.
Upright citizen Panadda Wongnim told police she was driving a motorbike past Satawat’s songthaew and saw him force her into the car. Panadda decided to stop at the scene to help the victim, and Satawat escaped.
The victim reportedly sought help from the Paveena Foundation before going to the police.
Satawat confessed to the authorities he took a detour and hoped to sexually assault the passenger, claiming he did not mean to kill her.
However, a relative of his who took him to the police, Taddao Thongma, told the press Satawat was forced into making a confession. She said Satawat left the route to find a gas station and did not try to assault the girl.
Panadda insisted there was no gas station in the direction he headed, and he had just passed one before the spot he stopped the car to run after the student.
Satawat has been charged for the assault and was denied bail, Manager and Sanook reported.
Photo: Patrunning forum
