British couple drugged, raped in Thailand

BANKOK, Thailand, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A British couple vacationing in Thailand said they were drugged and sexually assaulted by a group suspected of preying on foreign tourists.

While staying on the island of Koh Chang, the couple said, they were joined at a beach bar by an Englishwoman and some Frenchmen, who they believe spiked their drinks with a drug, The Daily Mail reported Saturday.

The couple, who asked that only their first names be used, fled Thailand Friday.

The group from the bar went to the couple's bungalow and allegedly raped and assaulted both of them, the couple said. The man, Richard, 42, said he remembered being forced to watch his wife Susan, 31, being sexually assaulted by two men.

The couple said they called police but when no one came, they went to a local hospital and were examined by a doctor.

Richard said the doctor told them they showed symptoms of having been given the drug Dormicum, which has been used as a "date-rape" drug.

"I know many people are not going to believe this and say that we must have been taking drink or drugs through choice," he said. "But nothing could be further from the truth."

Local police showed little interest and did little investigating, he said

A Thai police spokesman strongly denied that and said an investigation was under way, The Daily Mail reported.