Britons flee Thailand after holiday 'drug rape'

Scotland Yard is assisting with an investigation into the rape of a British couple while on holiday in Thailand after they fled the country taking evidence with them.

The couple, one a government employee, the other a businessman, fled the holiday island of Koh Chang after they were subjected to a night of terror in which said they were drugged and raped by a group, including French men and an English woman.

The pair took the stained bed clothes back to Britain, saying Thai police did not properly investigate. Both have been interviewed and tested by a Sapphire sex crimes unit.

They do not wish to be fully identified, but "Richard", 42, said he was forced to watch as his wife "Susan", 31, was raped by two men. Over the next two days, the couple's memories returned. Local doctors said they both showed symptoms of Dormicon, a drug used in the US to relax prisoners on death row before execution.

Susan today said Met officers said it is still possible they could find crucial evidence. The couple said they had met an English woman and some French men at a beach bar. Later the couple, the woman and two of the men went back to their bungalow.

They said they were joined by a third French man and then the couple lost consciousness. Richard said: "I woke up on the balcony. The men were boasting as they left. The police acted as if they did not believe us. They did not take DNA evidence."

Koh Chang's police station inspector Sibayot Chittiyakul said: "We have procedures to follow. The first thing is to get their full statements." Scotland Yard today said it was contacting Thai authorities "through appropriate channels".