A 69-year-old motorcycle-rental agent was arrested for allegedly raping a 7-year-old girl.
Sumalai Busnampech was taken into custody June 3 at his rental stand on Soi BJ off Walking Street based on an arrest warrant issued after authorities twice interviewed the girl.
Sumalai denied the charges, saying he’d known the girl since she was small and loved her like a daughter. He added that he was physically incapable of the alleged molestation.
Sumalai Busnampech has been arrested for allegedly raping a 7-year-old girl.
Food vendor Wassana Sukaruek had brought the girl to police, saying that she was attacked by Sumalai four times. The child’s parents had been locked up on drug offenses and she was living alone until taken in by an acquaintance.
Authorities transferred the girl to the care of the Banglamung Home for Children.
Police said this was not the first time Sumalai had come under scrutiny for his association with young children.