Nursing Student Assaulted by Grab Driver, Escapes

A nursing student reported being sexually assaulted by a Grab driver in Udon Thani province on July 25. The 20-year-old victim, identified as Ms. A, said she called a ride-share car to reach a dormitory in Udon Thani city. The driver, a man she called "Tern," aged 30–35, initially told her to cancel the app order due to payment issues but offered to drive her anyway for 67 baht cash. During the drive, the driver repeatedly asked personal questions about her work, age, school, and relationship status. He then ordered her twice to move to the front seat, which she refused. On the third demand, he spoke harshly and pulled over near a school, forcing her to comply. Once she sat in front, he began touching her legs, rubbing upward to her stomach and chest, though he did not reach under her clothes. When she protested, he claimed the vehicle's dark tint would prevent anyone from seeing inside. He then pressured her to call her friend and say she would arrive late so he could take her somewhere private. When her friend called, she told them what was happening. Frightened, she managed to convince the driver she would see him later, saying she needed to visit her friend first and that her friend had errands to run. She exchanged Line contact information with him under duress. The victim has filed a police complaint and posted her account on Facebook as a warning to other women using ride-sharing services.