Thai police are hunting for a foreign man accused of raping a massage girl after the country relaxed Covid-19 restrictions allowing body rubs.

The still-unidentified Western man – believed to be an ex-pat or a tourist– booked an oil massage with the woman, 45, before allegedly brutally attacking and raping her in the small room in Khon Kaen province, on September 27.

He is said to have left her unconscious with cuts and bruises across her face before CCTV showed him leaving on a motorcycle.

Locals told police they noticed a trail of blood flowing from the storefront and discovered the badly beaten woman inside the shop.

The alleged victim was taken to hospital where medics found she had swelling and bleeding on her brain.

Police Colonel Preecha Kengsarikit said they were searching for the man on suspicion of rape and assault.

The policeman added: ‘The injured woman has now regained consciousness but is unable to testify due to her serious injuries.

‘In addition to requesting an arrest warrant, we sent the man’s picture to the immigration office. From the CCTV examination, we found that the foreign man left through the back road.’

To help identify the man, officers have interviewed Thai women in the area who have foreign husbands in case anyone recognised him.

During the investigation, the alleged victim’s son said: ‘My mother worked abroad and has only returned here recently. She then worked at the massage parlour.’

It was not yet clear whether the woman knew the foreigner or not but police stations in the surrounding area have been alerted to find the man.

Officers have coordinated with the doctors to do a thorough physical examination to find the extent of the woman’s injures and the alleged assault.

Thailand this month eased its Covid-19 restrictions allowing customers to book full-body massages.