Uzbek man arrested in Phuket: teenager harassed!

Uzbek man arrested in Phuket: teenager harassed!

A shocking incident is causing outrage in Phuket: On January 11, Firuz Ahmedov, an Uzbek citizen, was arrested after being accused of molesting a 16-year-old student in a restaurant. The attack took place at the Golden Cat Restaurant around 10:20 p.m. when the man blocked the girl's exit from the toilet and touched her inappropriately. The girl's screams caught the attention of restaurant staff and other patrons, who immediately intervened and detained the suspect until police arrived, The Thaiger reports.

Thai police confirmed that Ahmedov was taken to the police station to be questioned. The case falls under Thailand's strict laws on indecent acts, particularly when minors are involved. Under new sexual offenses laws that came into force at the end of 2025, non-consensual sexual contact can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Reactions and investigations

The investigation into this incident is currently ongoing. It has not yet been confirmed whether formal charges will be brought against Ahmedov or whether his residence permit will be reviewed, which is common practice in such cases. Foreign citizens involved in such situations face a review of their visa or even expulsion from Thailand, further complicating the situation.

In a similar incident that attracted attention, two Indian men were recently attacked by Thais for allegedly harassing two Thai women. Five people were injured in the incident, including the two men and a motorcyclist, underscoring the escalating tensions and sensitivity of such incidents in Thailand.

Platforms such as The Thaiger provide an important source of information on local events and underscore the need to report on such incidents. In times like these, it is crucial that the community comes together to ensure the safety of everyone, especially the most vulnerable, is the top priority.