By JAMES EAST
Herald correspondent
BANGKOK - Thai police are battling to gather enough evidence to convict alleged child molester Eric Rosser, a former piano player at Bangkok's five-star Oriental Hotel.
The high-profile case involving the American has outraged Thailand's elite, whose children were allegedly abused by the musician. He ran a private piano school, using it as a front for his sex acts, say officers.
Despite a front-page confession of paedophilia by Rosser in last month's English-language Nation newspaper, the wealthy parents of his victims want photographs he allegedly took of 19 naked children destroyed. They have refused to allow their youngsters to testify, fearing the shame they would have to endure.
Police have only one chief witness, the niece of Rosser's Thai wife, who has claimed consistent abuse. Pornography, drugs and the videos were found in his home.
Lawyers prosecuting the piano player, who lost his hotel job and who is now behind bars awaiting trial, say convicting Rosser is the key to denting Thailand's reputation as a sex haven for foreign paedophiles.
Although there have been numerous arrests, almost all the offenders escape conviction by paying off officers or arranging bail and then fleeing.
Despite lax law enforcement, officers have begged victims' families to come forward with evidence, fearing Rosser may escape conviction.
Their get-tough attitude may have more to do with the involvement of prominent families and the publicity the case has garnered than any fundamental shift in approach.
This month a British police team specialising in prosecuting sex abusers is working on that. It has been training 50 police and social workers. They will work with a new police Child Protection Centre in Bangkok, and selected police stations.
The $US50,000 ($102,000) project is part of an international effort to stem the tide of child-sex tourists. Video recording equipment and special interview rooms to encourage children to testify have also been provided.
But in Pattaya, things remain much as they were. Foreign men can be seen on so-called "Gay Beach" arranging rendezvous with the young boys who sell ice cream or with street children who hang outside bars.
Recently a Swede was arrested in the southern resort of Hua Hin after allegedly forcing a boy garland seller to commit an indecent act on him. He is now free on $US2500 bail.
Paedophile outrages Thai elite
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