Police say suspect identified after alleged assault near Phuket reservoir

Police in Kathu district, Phuket, have reportedly identified a suspect after a woman said she was punched and subjected to an attempted sexual assault while jogging near Bang Wad Reservoir.

The case came to public attention on 18 September 2026 after Phuket Times interviewed Adisak, a man who came to the woman’s aid. He said the woman’s friend told him by phone what had happened, prompting him to ride to the reservoir, where he found the woman running away in fear.

The woman reportedly told Adisak that the man punched her in the stomach and tried to sexually assault her. She fought back and escaped, suffering scratches during the confrontation, according to the report. She described the suspect as wearing a blue T-shirt and riding a red motorcycle, and said his face was uncovered.

Adisak took her to safety and warned other women jogging in the area. He and a reservoir security guard searched for the suspect but did not find him. The report said there were no security cameras at the scene.

The woman reported the incident at Kathu Police Station and later raised concerns with Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee. She also claimed that the officer supervising the case accused her of seeking attention. The allegation led to further public attention.

Chalermpong visited the station on 21 September 2026. Police reportedly told him that officers had been working on the case since the incident and that the deputy superintendent was supervising the investigation. Officers later returned to the reservoir with the woman to identify the location and document her account.

Police reportedly said they had identified the suspect and expected to arrest him soon. The Kathu police superintendent also planned to discuss the reservoir’s evening opening hours and possible vehicle restrictions along the running route with the Phuket Irrigation Project director.

Chalermpong said the area needed a proper running track, better lighting, CCTV cameras, an emergency defibrillator and toilets. He said he planned to raise the issue in Parliament and with the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation.