Military refuses to give timetable in investigation into cadet’s death

By Jitraporn Senwong 
The Nation 

 

 

A MILITARY-APPOINTED fact-finding committee investigating the recent death of a teenage cadet at a military academy has refused to give a timetable for its inquiry, citing the need to fully examine the incident and clear any lingering doubts held by the public.

“Our investigation has to be comprehensive. While we are urgently looking into the case, we also have to pay attention to details and proceed carefully,” ACM Chawarat Marungruang, the committee’s chairman, said yesterday. “At this point, we can’t say when the investigation will conclude.”

 

He added that he would not try to please the public by concluding the probe quickly because he prioritised clear and honest answers about what happened to Pakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan, an 18-year-old first-year student at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) who died on October 17.

 

The case has generated considerable public controversy based on indications that the cadet may have been beaten and after an autopsy revealed that some of his internal organs had been removed. The military initially listed the cause of death as cardiac arrest.

 

Supreme Commander General Thanchaiyan Srisuwan ordered the investigation last week as Pakhapong’s family issued a public call for justice. 

 

The family claims that Pakhapong died in suspicious circumstances following an earlier incident in August when he was almost killed by punishment dispensed at the order of senior AFAPS students. 

 

Chawarat yesterday said his committee had already started interviewing witnesses and checking CCTV recordings. 

 

He also denied rumours that AFAPS students had been detained. 

 

“We have only summoned some students to provide information, where necessary,” he said.

 

“If the results show anyone has committed disciplinary offences, they will face punishment in line with prescribed procedures,” he said.

 

He added that his committee’s work was separate from the one launched by police. 

 

A source at the AFAPS said there were more than 1,000 students enrolled at the academy. 

 

“We have talked to them to promote good understanding. They have to keep on doing their duty,” the source said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30332742

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-29

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A MILITARY-APPOINTED fact-finding committee investigating the recent death of a teenage cadet at a military academy has refused to give a timetable for its inquiry, citing the need to fully examine the incident and clear any lingering doubts held by the public.

Beaten and died as a result of injuries being internal bleeding from ruptured spleen and liver. Now that wasn't hard was it? They're looking for a carpet and broom to do some sweeping. 

I'm guessing it will be when there is a government without a military person in it.

Keep dragging it out until it’s no longer on the front pages of the news,..... then drag it out a bit further and conclude death from natural causes, nothing to see here, please move on everyone.


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3 words come to mind:

Sweep, dust, carpet.

Wait long enough the issue goes away....  Local news are pushing the "unfortunate accident" bit that the army is feeding them.  Hmmm?     Obvious is a better word than "suspicious".    Army should just come clean and admit the truth!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He added that his committee’s work was separate from the one launched by police. 

Both the Supreme Commander and Police fall under the authority of the military NCPO.

Why does the government make Thais suffer such a circus?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A source at the AFAPS said there were more than 1,000 students enrolled at the academy. 

 

“We have talked to them to promote good understanding. They have to keep on doing their duty,” the source said.

What duty would that be? Standing still while the bullying is carried out? Or carrying on with the bullying?

4 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Both the Supreme Commander and Police fall under the authority of the military NCPO.

Why does the government make Thais suffer such a circus?

Because many of the government's members are clowns.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A MILITARY-APPOINTED fact-finding committee ... has refused to give a timetable for its inquiry, citing the need to fully examine the incident and clear any lingering doubts held by the public.

I think they may rest assured that the doubts aren't of the lingering kind. They are fully out in the open as questions, which the military, try as it might, has proved unable to satisfactorily address.

Amazing! Normally when they investigate themselves they come to the conclusion that they've done no wrong and they're super awesome with 48 hours. I guess all the evidence is pointing to the opposite on this one. Will take longer to cover this one up. 

It would be nice to see a court marshall or two, this was a cover up case.  The

people know it, the PM know it and the military know it.

Geezer

 

 

I am going to have a guess when they finish there investigation  2030 How about that? There will be no findings handed down NEVER ok  OIK OIK OIK there are those flying pigs again 

Forward this case to the Intl Court of Justice in The Hague.!

"clear any lingering doubts held by the public." So effectively have already decided that no crime was committed, just need more time to work out a highly unconvincing way to spin it to the family and the public in general. Disgusting. 

12 hours ago, pattayadon said:

Wait long enough the issue goes away....  Local news are pushing the "unfortunate accident" bit that the army is feeding them.  Hmmm?     Obvious is a better word than "suspicious".    Army should just come clean and admit the truth!

The army doesn't know how to come clean. The absurd notion of "saving face" comes first no matter what. Reminds of this paid "network" the RTP have dreamed up over the teacher that wanted to clear her name about the alleged hit-and-run. It's incredible how motivated the police have suddenly become over the "probe" now that it's a case of "saving face" and throwing her in jail again, rater than admit they jailed yet another innocent person. If the police were that motivated when it came to actually fighting crime that might not be the utter loathsome laughing stock that they are. 

14 hours ago, newcomer71 said:

3 words come to mind:

Sweep, dust, carpet.

I'm sure they will try.

 

But the boy's father is not some poor upcountry farmer who can be intimidated by the "superior" officers and bought off for a pittance.

 

By the look on his face in the photos we've seen, he is obviously devastated by the loss of his boy (brings a lump to my throat) and is in the mood for a fight. He seems very determined to get to the truth and I hope he has the strength to see it through.