A mother flying to Thailand has accused a fellow passenger of sexually assaulting her while she slept with her four-year-old daughter in the seat beside her. Beaut Pimpaporn, 33, was on a connecting flight from Dubai to Bangkok on a FlyDubai flight when the alleged incident occurred.
According to Ms. Pimpaporn, she awoke to find the passenger next to her, identified as 30-year-old Raza Ali, engaging in a sex act and touching her inappropriately. She stated that Mr. Ali then pretended to adjust the entertainment screen while looking at her. To avoid causing a disturbance on the flight, Ms. Pimpaporn waited until the plane landed at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok to alert the cabin crew.
Upon landing, tourist police and immigration officers met the flight. Mr. Ali, who was reportedly traveling with a Pakistani tour group, initially denied the accusations but later admitted to the incident and, along with his companions, pleaded for forgiveness. Ms. Pimpaporn reported that flight attendants intervened, separating her daughter from the situation. The captain had her daughter moved to prevent her from witnessing the events.
Ms. Pimpaporn stated that the flight attendant did not accept Mr. Ali's apologies, informing him that the matter was serious and required police involvement. She noted that several individuals from his tour group attempted to intercede on his behalf, asking her to forgive him, but they were dismissed by the crew.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Chamnanyut Konkong of the Don Mueang district station indicated that officers would attempt to mediate between the parties involved. He confirmed that the suspect has been denied entry into Thailand and that Ms. Pimpaporn was scheduled for an interview. He added that the initial step would be mediation, which is standard procedure.
Ms. Pimpaporn has expressed her intention to press charges and seek compensation. She also shared her story to raise awareness about the risks faced by solo female travelers, emphasizing that passengers, particularly women traveling alone, can be vulnerable. She urged other women to speak out if they experience similar situations and not to feel embarrassed, stating, "I decided to tell my story because I do not want anyone else to experience what I experienced."