An NGO worker based in Banteay Meanchey province said Wednesday he did not see the rape of a 14-year-old girl on the Thai side of the Cambodian border, as Cambodian authorities alleged Tuesday, but only found her covered in blood and dust.
Chamroeun Virak of the Cambodian Children Handicap Development Organization, a one-office NGO based in O’Chrou district, said he was patrolling the Thai side of the border Friday when three girls ran toward his colleague and him, crying that their friend was being raped by a Thai policeman. “My organization works in cooperation with [international NGO] World Vision in Thailand. Therefore my organization has the authority to work on both sides of the Thai-Cambodian border,” he said.
Chamroeun Virak said when he found the girl, no policemen were present. He said the girl was standing topless.
“Her chest was covered with blood and her hair was messed up like a ghost’s and her body was covered with dust,” he said.
He said his NGO tries to help victims of human trafficking, child labor and those with disabilities. He said he patrols the border daily from 7:30 am until 8 pm.
Chuon Vath, chief of the Banteay Meanchey Anti-Trafficking Bureau, said Wednesday she was told Chamroeun Virak had seen the rape and he had been alerted by two girls, not three.
Songchai Chaipatiyut, second secretary at the Thai Embassy, said Wednesday he still had not received an official report of the incident from Thai authorities.
But O’Chrou District Police Chief Nuth Ly said Tuesday Thai military police promised to organize a lineup of border guards to see if the girl can identify her attacker.
Chamroeun Virak said the girl is one of many youths who enter Thailand illegally to sell clothing.
victim was one of many youths who dress in multiple layers of clothing before illegally entering Thailand to sell the clothes at a market there, Chamroeun Virak said.
