Canadian tourist 'used clothing fitting trick to grope female shop assistants' arrested

A Canadian tourist who allegedly used a clothing-fitting trick to grope female shop assistants was arrested in Thailand.

Karim Abdul Nabil, 58, was detained at a luxury condominium in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok on September 9.

Police said he would approach female staff at clothing shops and pretend he needed help checking the size of a pair of trousers.

At one store in the Lat Phrao commercial area, he allegedly held the trousers against a female employee's body while pretending to check the fit before groping the young woman.

Cops launched an investigation after the employee filed a complaint. They later discovered that the same man had allegedly groped other staff in a similar way at several locations, including the busy Chatuchak shopping hub, with at least three incidents captured on CCTV.

Police gathered CCTV footage and witness statements from the alleged victims before identifying the suspect as Karim.

The evidence was submitted to the Criminal Court, which issued a warrant accusing him of 'committing an indecent act against a person over the age of 15'.

Immigration police subsequently received information that a man matching the description in the warrant was staying at a condominium in Rama 9.

They searched the property before locating the Canadian and arresting him.

Police said the suspect allegedly confessed to the allegations. He was handed over to investigators at Phahonyothin Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Immigration Division 3 said that once the criminal case is concluded, it will move to revoke his permission to remain in Thailand under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3, said the tourist will be deported and banned from returning to Thailand.

He added: 'Thailand welcomes foreigners who enter the country with honest intentions but it will not be a haven for those who threaten public safety.'

Thailand's economy relies heavily on tourism, though numbers are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Tourism is believed to account for up to 20 per cent of GDP, with revenue touching everything from cars and airlines to hotels and hospitals.

But in response to an influx of rowdy tourists, in May, the government slashed its visa-free stay for eligible foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days. Officials said the tighter rule is meant to curb crimes committed by foreign nationals.