Canadian teacher, 68, arrested over 'rape of schoolgirl during private class' in Thailand
A Canadian teacher has been arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in her own bedroom during a private tutoring lesson in Thailand.
James Peter Inkster, 68, from New Westminster, reportedly held the session in her bedroom while her parents were away from the family home in Nakhon Ratchasima on October 20 last year.
The girl's parents had trusted the educator, a former assistant director at an international school in the Khao Yai area, who had been tutoring their daughter privately for three years.
But he was said to have forced the teenager onto her bed before raping her and recording the attack.
Relatives were horrified when the tearful girl later recounted the alleged assault.
They filed a report before officers arrested Inkster and allegedly discovered incriminating photos and video clips linked to the suspected attack on his phone.
A court subsequently issued a warrant after Inkster was granted bail during trial proceedings. However, authorities said he later failed to return to the judicial process and fled.
Investigators added that during the period he was on the run, the suspect allegedly sold personal assets, including gold, to obtain cash and moved between locations to avoid detection.
Police monitored his movements until they were able to track him down to a fellow Canadian's home in Prachuap Khiri Khan, around 540 kilometres away, on May 31.
Footage showed the suspect being handcuffed by police officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Division of the Central Investigation Bureau under an arrest warrant that was issued by the Sikhio Provincial Court on January 22.
He was charged with rape by threat or intimidation, indecent assault on a person over 15 who was in a state of helplessness, and fleeing while on bail.
He was then taken into custody and transferred to Si Khio Provincial Court for further legal proceedings.
The arrest was made by the Anti-Human Trafficking Division of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) after the victim and her family reached out to The HUG Project, a Thai non-profit that protects child sexual abuse victims.
The family said they sought help from the non-profit, fearing they would never get justice because Inkster had already been released on bail and disappeared.
Police said Inkster was 'highly suspicious and constantly alert' as they monitored his movements.
Lieutenant Colonel Chaiyakrit Thipwongsa of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division said: 'This level of vigilance is consistent with someone evading law enforcement. He was continuously observing whether he was being followed and often expressed suspicions that various individuals were monitoring him.
'After being granted bail in November 2025, he fled to Prachuap Khiri Khan, carrying only a single bag and arranging accommodation on his own.
'He was staying in a container-style unit, similar to a small knock-down house, located in Sam Roi Yot District. It is not in the town centre, but in a remote area not far from the beach.
'The property is isolated. A British national who owns a neighbouring house allowed him to stay there as a drinking companion. They had no personal relationship.
'Because the area is sparsely populated, when police conducted surveillance, the suspect noticed unusual activity and became increasingly cautious, as he was aware that he was being tracked.
'At the beginning of 2026, after staying in the unit for some time, he moved to another foreign national's residence.
'The homeowner is a Canadian of a similar age, slightly younger than him. The landlord said he was initially concerned when the suspect suddenly requested to stay at the property.
'However, the suspect claimed that people were following him and that he had been taken into a forest and assaulted, so the homeowner felt sympathy and allowed him to stay.'
Officers said the suspect was adept at avoiding arrest, using a SIM-free mobile phone to prevent tracking. Instead of making calls, he was said to have kept handwritten records of the locations of people he met.
Inkster allegedly claimed he fled to Prachuap Khiri Khan after a fight with his Thai girlfriend.
However, cops said there was no confirmed information regarding her or whether she really exists.
Colonely Chaiyakrit added: 'He does have family in Canada.
'His daughter is aware that he is facing legal proceedings in Thailand. She is an adult and has a partner. We understand there were some family conflicts, but we believe his family was not aware that he had absconded while on bail.
'Upon arrest, he initially denied all allegations. However, investigators examined his mobile phone and discovered evidence, including photographs and video recordings involving minors. Even so, he continued to deny the allegations.
'The suspect is someone who appeared highly trustworthy. He held a valid work permit and regularly renewed his visa. He was registered in Thailand's official records and had served as an assistant school director at an international school.
'Both teachers and parents trusted him, and many parents hired him for private tutoring at home.'
Officers said the suspect had earned a good reputation after working at an international school in Nakhon Ratchasima. He had since retired, but continued providing private tutoring services.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Sermsak Mungklibklang, Deputy Investigation Officer at the local district police station, said: 'The suspect was previously a teacher at an international school and later retired, but continued working as a private tutor under a homeschooling-style arrangement, teaching at scheduled times so that students would later sit in examinations as external candidates.
'Many of the children he taught were under his supervision, and numerous parents trusted him and hired him for home tutoring.
'The suspect had been a teacher at that school for at least seven years.
'He had known the victim since she was around nine years old, but the alleged offence occurred when she was approximately 16 years old. He is believed to have lived in Thailand for nearly 20 years. To our knowledge, he has no family here.
'After police received the medical examination results from doctors, a warrant was issued. Once he was arrested, he was taken into custody and detained at court, but he was later granted bail and subsequently fled.
'We are unable to disclose the exact number of incidents, but there was penetration involved.
'The victim's psychological condition has improved, and she appears more stable. Police have also recommended that she receive additional support from child psychiatric services.
'Although the suspect initially denied all allegations and has never admitted guilt in court due to his flight, we have strong supporting evidence, including physical and forensic scientific evidence.
'The case is currently under judicial proceedings at Si Khio Provincial Court and will continue according to legal procedures.'
