13-6-2023 (BANGKOK) A shocking incident unfolded at a massage parlour near Khao San Road, where a Japanese woman claimed that a Thai masseur attempted to rape her during a session. The victim took to Twitter to share her harrowing experience, sparking outrage and raising concerns about safety at such establishments. The female shop owner, however, defended her male employee, asserting that the act of inserting a finger into a woman’s vagina was part of the massage service.
The story came to light when a Thai Twitter user, @Reiriesz, translated and shared the victim’s post on June 12. The 23-year-old Japanese woman revealed that she visited Tong Ou massage shop on Ram Buttri Road near Khao San in February, accompanied by her Chinese boyfriend. Upon arrival, the couple were offered separate services. The woman was assigned a Thai masseur named Mai Nirakthai, who, during the massage, allegedly sexually assaulted her by forcefully inserting his finger into her vagina. Shocked and in distress, she immediately screamed for help.
Subsequently, she contacted the officers at Chana Songkham Police Station to report the incident. However, despite the gravity of the situation, no officers arrived at the scene for over two hours. Frustrated, she took matters into her own hands and managed to bring the masseur to the nearby Chana Songkham Police Station, which was a mere 500 meters away from the location of the incident.
According to the victim, the police conducted their investigation privately, separate from her presence. She was kept unaware of the details discussed during their conversation in another room. To her astonishment, when the masseur returned, he started shouting at her, blaming her for the incident. Shockingly, the shop owner also came to the employee’s defense, claiming that inserting a finger into a woman’s vagina was a regular part of the massage process. In a bold move, the shop owner even challenged the victim to demonstrate how the assault occurred, attempting to normalize the act in front of the police.
Determined not to be silenced, the Japanese woman reported the assault to the Thai embassy. The police urged her to revisit the police station the following day, but upon her arrival, she found the station closed. Expressing her frustration, the victim stated, “The idea that you report a crime to the police only works in Japan, not Thailand. Even if you are raped or killed, you have to take care of yourself. Be careful everyone.”
Adding to the disturbing nature of the incident, the victim mentioned that other staff members at the massage shop did not express any doubt or shock about her claim. This implies that such occurrences may be alarmingly common at the establishment.
A Thai Twitter user responded to the post, sharing an incident involving her female friend who was raped at a different massage shop in Thailand. Despite the appearance of credibility and luxury, the shop failed to ensure the safety of its customers.
