Koh Samet Hotel Issues Apology, Then Deletes Statement After Attack Allegations
A hotel on Koh Samet has issued a public apology and acknowledged security deficiencies following allegations of an attempted rape and murder. The statement, posted on the hotel’s Facebook page, was later removed without explanation.
The incident came to light on June 2, when a woman claimed her friend narrowly escaped an attempted sexual assault and murder during a stay at the Rayong province hotel. According to her account, an intruder entered her friend’s room and attempted to attack her. The victim’s boyfriend intervened, allowing her to escape before the assailant fled.
The accuser criticized the hotel’s response, alleging a lack of security personnel on duty and delayed assistance. She later confirmed on social media that the suspect had been apprehended, though she provided no further details on the legal proceedings.
Attracting significant online attention, the allegations prompted calls for clarification from both the public and the implicated hotel. On June 3, the hotel released a statement addressing the claims.
Hotel’s Initial Statement and Security Concerns
In its apology, the hotel expressed regret to the victim and her companions, stating that staff had remained in contact throughout the ordeal and the subsequent investigation. The establishment clarified that the individual involved was neither an employee nor a resident of Koh Samet.
The hotel claimed its staff located and detained the suspect within 30 minutes of the incident, prior to police involvement. Notably, the statement admitted that no security guard was on duty at the time, with the responsibility for guest safety falling to the manager on duty. The resort maintained that staff and the duty manager responded immediately upon being alerted and promptly notified the authorities.
The statement also addressed criticism directed at the hotel’s general manager, attributing it to a misunderstanding. The hotel asserted that the manager’s intention was to reassure guests that all their booked rooms would remain available. The manager was reportedly attempting to explain that only the victim’s room required a change due to the unavailability of other accommodations, as the resort was fully booked.
Furthermore, the hotel indicated that its general manager had been providing updates on the police investigation and suspect questioning via the LINE messaging application. The resort denied neglecting the incident, emphasizing that it was treated with utmost seriousness. The hotel also stated it had since implemented enhanced security measures, including stricter screening for visitors and non-guests entering the property.
Statement Removal and Unanswered Questions
Despite the detailed explanation and proactive measures outlined in the statement, it was subsequently removed from the hotel’s official Facebook page. As of now, the hotel has not provided a reason for the statement’s deletion. Police have also not yet publicly commented on the ongoing legal proceedings against the suspect.
The incident has raised significant questions regarding hotel security protocols and the transparency of responses to serious guest safety concerns on the popular tourist island.
