Police release suspect in serial rapes

Artist renderings of the serial rapist suspect are posted in public places in Nakhon Pathom and nearby provinces as police continue to search for the culprit. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

Police have released a man who confessed late Tuesday to the serial rapes of 10 elderly women west of Bangkok, saying his DNA did not match samples collected from victims.

Tawan Thongyim, 35, who resembled a sketch of the suspect, was taken into custody around 10pm last night in Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province. Later Wednesday, after being released, he appealed for fair treatment, saying reports about his arrest already had damaged his reputation.

Mr Tawan previously worked on the highway in Nakhon Pathom province. The serial rapes of the past five years occurred in Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram provinces. Two of the victims were murdered and the latest attack occurred in January.

Tawan Thongyim, 35, proved to be innocent

Mr Tawan is a native of Talad Pho sub-district in Lam Plai Mat district, Buri Ram. Police collected DNA samples from him for testing. National police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said later that DNA tests proved the man was not the culprit and he was released.

He initially confessed to the crime possibly out of fear, Pol Lt Gen Prawut said.

The suspect police are looking for is a well-built man aged 30-40 years with a dark complexion, about 170 centimetres tall, and with big hands and feet, Gen Prawut said.

Mr Tawan now works as a porter at the MP ice factory in Phimai district. He said four plainclothes police officers brought a sketch of the suspect to compare it with his appearance and arrested him.

On the way to Muang district, they kept telling him to confess to have his punishment lessened, Mr Tawan said. At that moment, he felt afraid and could not contact anyone because the policemen took his cell phone, he said.

After police continued to pressure him to confess, Mr Tawan said he had to follow directions.

He was released and his mobile phone returned at about 1am Wednesday.

Mr Tawan said he was so sorry that the society already believed he was the rapist even though he is innocent.