Seven Youths Arrested for Robbing Japanese Tourist in Bangkok
Seven teenagers were arrested in Bangkok for robbing and assaulting a Japanese tourist near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station on August 12, splitting 1,400 baht among themselves after he refused to hand over money.
BANGKOK — Police arrested seven youths aged 13 to 17 on Thursday over the assault and robbery of a Japanese tourist near the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.
Police said the youths admitted they had approached people for money in a similar way on several occasions without encountering problems, but claimed they assaulted the tourist after he refused to hand over money.
The incident occurred late on 12 August after the Japanese tourist became lost while trying to find the entrance to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station and wandered into an overgrown area nearby.
According to the tourist's account, he encountered a group of six youths riding on two motorcycles, with three people on each vehicle, after they entered from the Asoke-Din Daeng 30 alley area. The group allegedly approached him and repeatedly said, "Money, money." The tourist replied, "No, no."
He told police that members of the group then restrained him and struck him three times on the back of the head with a rock about the size of a fist before punching him once in the mouth. The tourist managed to run towards the entrance of Soi Asoke-Din Daeng 30. His backpack remained with him.
At about 19:20 on 13 August, Pol Col Sakya Saengwan, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, together with investigators from Makkasan and Din Daeng police stations, took seven youths into custody. Police located them in several rooms at flats near Din Daeng Police Station in Bangkok's Din Daeng district.
During initial questioning, the youths reportedly gave similar accounts, claiming they had only punched the tourist and had not used any weapons. Police said some of them were carrying knives, but the youths claimed the knives were not used in the attack.
They allegedly admitted taking 1,400 baht from the tourist and dividing the money equally, receiving 200 baht each. They told investigators the money had already been spent.
According to police, the youths said they had frequently approached other people for money in the past and usually encountered no resistance. They claimed that on this occasion, the Japanese tourist refused to give them money, prompting the assault.
Police said a multidisciplinary team would join the questioning of the minors on 14 August before investigators consider charges and further legal action.
