KHON KAEN: Olympic medalist Somluck Kamsing has turned himself in to local police to face four charges, including attempted rape, in connection with a sexual entanglement with a 17-year-old girl.
Pol Lt Col Suparerk Suwanraj, the deputy chief investigator of Muang district police, said the 50-year-old former boxer turned himself in at 12.30am yesterday, accompanied by his elder brother and a close associate.
Somluck was subsequently charged with taking a minor, aged above 15 but less than 18, from parents or guardians, taking a minor for an indecent act, committing an indecent act, committing an indecent act against a minor, and attempted rape.
Even though he publicly apologised to the victim and her family, Somluck denied all the charges, Pol Lt Col Suparerk said.
He was released on condition that his lawyer prepare a statement clarifying what transpired and submit it to police investigators within 15 days.
He said the police would issue a summons for a motorcycle driver, reportedly a close friend of Somluck’s, who allegedly transported the girl and Somluck from an entertainment venue to a hotel. He will be charged with conspiracy in the alleged crime.
The driver was identified as a 47-year-old man named Paekko.
The teenage girl, whose name was withheld, filed a complaint with police accusing Somluck of sexual assault. She said that after meeting him at a pub in Khon Kaen, Somluck took her to a hotel where she was sexually assaulted. The incident occurred at about 3.30am on Dec 10.
Yesterday, deputy national police Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said Somluck should have admitted to the charges as it could lighten any punishment in the case if he is found guilty.
His social contribution as an Olympic medalist would also likely be considered in deciding a punishment.
The senior police officer said the accounts given by witnesses and the evidence presented to investigators incriminated Somluck.
The girl also told police she had been sexually violated despite having resisted Somluck’s advances.
Body fluids were collected as evidence and taken for examination by the Central Institute of Forensic Science.
Investigators were waiting for the results.
Pol Gen Surachate said an allegation that the girl may have plotted her encounter with Somluck with the intent to blackmail him could not mask the fact that the former boxer should know better than getting involved inappropriately with a girl whom he suspected could be underage.
Meanwhile, two women who appeared to accompany the girl at the nightclub went on a livestream on Wednesday to clear up any public misunderstanding regarding their involvement.
Both said they met the girl for the first time that night, as she knew one of their friends.
They said the victim joined the former athlete after returning from a trip to the bathroom during their night out at the pub.
After the pub closed, they asked the girl to go with them instead of leaving with the boxer, a suggestion that left the girl “unimpressed”, they said.
Both said they had no clue why the girl was filing a complaint with the police and affirmed they were both older than 17.