Canadian Man Detained in Alleged Rape Case In Chiang Mai

Thai police have detained a Canadian man following an accusation of rape against a young British backpacker. The incident allegedly took place after a night of karaoke in Chiang Mai.

Aldo Guiovanni Ochoa Saenz, 37, is from Richmond, British Columbia. On September 13, he was reportedly drinking and partying with the 23-year-old tourist and other foreigners at a bar in the northern city. The group eventually split up, but Aldo brought the woman back to his condo unit at the Pleasant Condominium downtown. Police say he took advantage of her while she remained intoxicated.

The victim, who is nearly 15 years younger than him, told officers she was shocked when she woke up naked in bed the next morning. She filed a report with the Mae Ping district station later that day. Authorities gathered evidence and secured an arrest warrant from the Chiang Mai Provincial Court on suspicion of rape.

Footage captured officers raiding Aldo's room just hours before he was scheduled to fly to China on September 23. They seized his phone and found travel details suggesting he was preparing to leave Thailand immediately. He was handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Police Colonel Yanaphon Phatthanachai, superintendent of the local station, stated that officers are continuing to question the Canadian about the alleged attack. "The main evidence supporting the arrest warrant is the alleged victim's testimony and the results of her physical examination, which indicated that sexual intercourse had taken place," the officer said. "We are preparing charges of rape and sexual assault, as the victim claims she was unable to resist."

Police Lieutenant Colonel Danai Lamliangphon noted that Aldo denies the allegations, claiming the sex was consensual. "The suspect told police that he and the British woman went drinking together on September 13," Lamliangphon explained. "They went to Warm Up and 67 Bar Karaoke as part of a group of seven people. The group included people of several nationalities, including people from the Philippines, the UK and the USA."

The British woman told investigators she was drunk and woke up realizing she had been sexually assaulted. She also questioned whether the suspect might have put something in her drink because she became intoxicated unusually quickly. When questioned about this, Aldo denied putting anything in her beverage.

Medical tests did not find any drugs in the victim's system. However, the examination found traces of semen. The suspect also confirmed he planned to leave Thailand on September 23 and travel to China. The case is currently awaiting the suspect's detention while legal proceedings move forward.