A medical intern in Thailand, Petcharaporn Phadungjai, used her Muay Thai boxing skills to defend herself against a drunk nurse who attempted to grope her one night. The 22-year-old intern fought off her would-be assaulter using a combination of kicks, knees, punches, and wrestling moves that she had learned from a young age. The nurse approached her from behind as she was picking up food before leaving for the night, but she was able to escape his grasp and kick him away in self-defense.
CCTV footage captured the incident showing the nurse circling behind Petcharaporn before reaching for her. She grabbed him and pushed him towards the wall while delivering a knee to his groin to break free from his grip. After kicking him in the stomach and assuming a defensive stance, she yelled at him to back off. The hospital reported the incident to the police and fired the nurse after it was revealed that he had harassed other female interns in a similar manner.
Petcharaporn revealed that she had ordered dinner but couldn’t pick it up herself, prompting the nurse to offer to bring it to her. When he arrived, he asked her to scan the QR code to pay for the food, and that’s when he grabbed her from behind. She also shared that the nurse had flirted with her during her internship and had made her uncomfortable with his advances. The intern feared that the situation could have escalated to rape if she hadn’t fought him off using her self-defense skills.
Sexual violence is a significant issue in Thailand, with reports indicating that at least seven women are sexually assaulted or abused per day. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of self-defense training for women in protecting themselves against potential assailants. Petcharaporn credits her grandfather for teaching her self-defense skills at a young age, which ultimately helped her to escape harm in this situation. The nurse’s termination from the hospital and the police report highlight the seriousness of the incident and the need for proper measures to be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The intern’s quick thinking and fighting skills saved her from becoming a victim of sexual assault, showcasing the importance of being prepared to defend oneself in dangerous situations. The CCTV footage captured the incident and provided evidence for the hospital to report the nurse’s actions to the police, leading to his termination. Petcharaporn’s courage in standing up to her would-be assaulter serves as an inspiration to other women facing similar threats and highlights the need for society to address the issue of sexual violence in Thailand. The intern’s story sheds light on the prevalence of harassment and abuse that women may face in various environments, emphasizing the importance of awareness, empowerment, and self-defense training in combatting such crimes.
