[infinkPoode]

PATTANI : The two soldiers who are accused of raping a 16-year-old Muslim girl yesterday surrendered to police.

Pvt Winai Klangwichai and Pvt Somyos Jantharaphut, who are accused of raping a teenage girl and filming the encounter, surrender to Yarang police in Pattani province yesterday.

Pvt Winai Klangwichai, 21, the alleged rapist, and Pvt Somyos Jantharaphut, who is accused of filming the incident and sending the clip to others via mobile phone, were charged with gang rape, separating a minor from the parents for molestation purposes, and separating a minor from the parents without consent.

The alleged attack was filmed in January and later circulated on the internet.

After acknowledging the charges at Yarang district police station, the suspects were detained in Inkhayuthaborinharn military camp in Nong Chik district.

Pol Lt Col Anthee Kor-aree, a deputy chief of the police station's investigation section, said doctors had examined the girl and investigating officers were now waiting for a medical report.

The girl and with her parents were yesterday invited for police questioning at Pattani public prosecution office. The girl was asked to tell the authorities about the incident in the presence of psychologists, lawyers and prosecutors.

The parents said their daughter was not allowed to sit a final exam after her teachers learnt of the incident and urged the school not to punish her.