Thai police have arrested a 51-year-old man accused of entering a private fish pond in Bangkok and sexually abusing koi fish, after the owner captured the alleged act on CCTV.
The suspect, identified as Suchitchai, also known as Tong, was arrested on Thursday (Sept 10) after officers tracked him down following a complaint from the fish owner.
Thung Song Hong Police Station chief Pol Col Yutthasilp Karin ordered officers to investigate after the incident was reported at a house in Soi Vibhavadi Rangsit 66.
The incident allegedly occurred on the evening of Sept 7. CCTV footage reportedly showed Suchitchai arriving by bicycle at around 8.30pm and parking beside the pond before walking around the area.
Police said the footage showed him exposing himself and attempting to catch a koi. At about 8.38pm, he allegedly stripped naked, climbed into the pond and caught a fish before using it to masturbate and returning it to the water.
A housekeeper and the fish owner later discovered him, prompting the suspect to flee on his bicycle. The owner chased him but fell and was injured before making a police report.
Investigators believed the suspect lived nearby as he had fled using a bicycle.
On the afternoon of Sept 10, officers spotted Suchitchai walking near the Siang Kong Lak Si area. Police said he was wearing the same clothes he had allegedly worn during the incident.
He attempted to flee when officers approached, but was chased and arrested.
During questioning, Suchitchai allegedly admitted he was the man seen in the CCTV footage. He reportedly told police he had initially gone to the area intending to take a bath before becoming sexually aroused after seeing the koi.
He allegedly admitted catching a fish and masturbating with it, saying he had done so twice. He also reportedly claimed to have engaged in similar behaviour with other fish.
According to police, Suchitchai said he avoided sucker fish because of their spines and preferred koi because they caused less pain. He also reportedly said he had no money to pay for sex and did not have a partner.
Police said the suspect admitted using drugs but claimed he had no money to buy them and instead used drugs he had found.
He also allegedly told investigators that several years ago he had sexually abused a female dog with puppies and was arrested by Bang Khen police before serving a prison sentence. He reportedly said he had also previously sexually abused a doll he found in a rubbish dump.
The fish owner, who identified himself as Bobby, said he had kept the koi for around seven to eight years and recognised the suspect as someone who frequently passed by the house.
Bobby said the man sometimes stopped in the area to take a bath, but he had never suspected anything more serious because he had previously noticed only wet ground.
However, Bobby became suspicious after several koi began dying one or two at a time. The dead fish were found with their bodies bent, which he initially believed could have been caused by them fighting or hitting the pond.
The house had CCTV cameras, but Bobby said he rarely checked them because there had previously been no reason to do so.
On Sept 7, a housekeeper found a sex toy that the suspect had allegedly thrown near the pond and discarded it. The discovery prompted Bobby to adjust a CCTV camera to provide a clearer view of the pond.
Later that evening, the footage allegedly showed the suspect masturbating beside the pond before entering the water and catching a koi.
Bobby said he ran downstairs and chased the suspect as he fled by bicycle, but fell while running in flip-flops and suffered injuries.
After filing a police report, Bobby received information that the suspect had been spotted near Siang Kong Lak Si. He later saw him after crossing the road to eat near Chaeng Watthana Soi 6 and contacted patrol officers.
Police said the suspect again attempted to escape by running across the road, narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle.
Bobby thanked police for tracking down and arresting the suspect, saying he was concerned that the man could pose a danger to others, particularly women and children. He also claimed the suspect used drugs and carried a knife.
Police are continuing to question Suchitchai and gather evidence. Investigators are considering charges including animal cruelty, causing property damage, committing an indecent act and trespassing at night.
