PHUKET, THAILAND – Police in Phuket arrested a 42-year-old van driver suspected of committing a sexual offense against a Ukrainian tourist after identifying him through CCTV footage.
Arrest after review of surveillance videos
The Phuket City Police arrested the suspect on 6 April 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Investigators said recordings from surveillance cameras made the alleged offender clearly identifiable.
The detained man was identified as 42-year-old Sukhan. Police did not release any further personal details in their statement.
Suspect from neighboring Phang Nga province
According to police, the man came from Takua Pa district in the neighboring province of Phang Nga. He was alleged to have been driving a van with a yellow license plate registered in Phuket.
Yellow plates in Thailand indicate vehicles used for commercial passenger or freight transport. Investigators believed the suspect was working in the ride service sector.
Tourist’s criminal complaint as starting point
The investigation began after a Ukrainian tourist filed a criminal complaint with police in Phuket. Authorities then opened an inquiry against an unidentified driver.
Police gave no further details about the content of her statement or the sequence of events she reported. They also did not disclose any information about the tourist’s condition.
Alleged crime scene on the Bypass Road
Investigators stated that the incident was believed to have taken place inside the vehicle along Chalerm Phrakiat Rama IX Road, also known as the Bypass Road. The road runs through Ratsada subdistrict.
The alleged crime scene lay away from the island’s heavily frequented tourist zones. Police did not provide any additional information on the exact circumstances of the reported offense.
Questioning and start of legal proceedings
Police said the suspect would first be questioned. He was then to be handed over to the responsible investigators to initiate the formal criminal process.
Authorities did not comment on potential charges, a possible confession, or further evidence. The legal status of the man in custody initially remained unclear.
Tourist safety puts ride services under scrutiny
The case once again put the regulation of commercial ride services in Phuket in the spotlight. Previous incidents involving unregistered drivers had repeatedly triggered calls for tighter requirements.
Officials recommended that tourists use only licensed ride services that can be booked via apps and record vehicle details before starting a trip. It initially remained unknown whether the arrested driver held a valid transport permit.