Dead cadet’s family to pursue legal action

By Jitraporn Senwong 
The Nation 

 

 

THE FAMILY of a cadet who died in the compound of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) last October has pledged to take legal action over the death.

 

“We are not satisfied with the probe [by the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters],” Pichet Tanyakan said yesterday. 

 

His 18-year-old son, Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan, died in suspicious circumstances. In the days before his fatal acute cardiac arrest, he was exposed to improper punishment at the AFAPS. 

 

The inquiry, which started in response to an order from Supreme Commander General Thanchaiyan Srisuwan, confirmed that senior students inappropriately punished Phakhapong yet insisted that the cadet’s death was related to health problems – not the punishment. 

 

Phakhapong’s family yesterday met the chair of the committee that conducted the probe, ACM Chawarat Marungruang, to listen to explanations.

 

Chawarat said the family had raised questions, particularly in regard to the cause of Phakhapong’s death and bruises found on his body. 

 

He said his committee members planned to further discuss the autopsy results provided by the Central Institute of Forensic Science and the opinions of doctors at the Phramongkutklao Hospital. The hospital conducted the first autopsy while the institute conducted a second. 

 

“The family has agreed that we should have more meetings,” Chawarat said. He added that the family had also expressed the wish to obtain a copy of the inquiry-result documents.

 

“Today’s meeting went well. We hope to present facts that prove acceptable to both sides,” Chawarat said.

 

However, after emerging from the meeting, Pichet said that he had still had some doubts about his son’s death and would take legal action.

 

Phakhapong’s mother, Sukanya, said the same. 

 

Despite the scandal over Phakhapong’s death, the AFAPS – which has taught several Thai prime ministers, including the incumbent General Prayut Chan-o-cha – has remained a prestigious institute. 

 

Next Monday, it will celebrate its 60th anniversary, with Prayut, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon and military chiefs expected to turn up to celebrate at their alma mater. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30336981

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-24

 

Please do not stop!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thanchaiyan Srisuwan, confirmed that senior students inappropriately punished

Case closed.  Regardless of the cause of death, impropriety should be punished and the airforce's dirty laundry aired in public to avoid cover up.

Case closed.  Regardless of the cause of death, impropriety should be punished and the airforce's dirty laundry aired in public to avoid cover up.

Good luck with that. Even in the West the military operate in shrouds of secrecy with their own law enforcement system.

48 minutes ago, jerojero said:

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

Case closed.  Regardless of the cause of death, impropriety should be punished and the airforce's dirty laundry aired in public to avoid cover up.

Good luck with that. Even in the West the military operate in shrouds of secrecy with their own law enforcement system.

Even in Thailand, when you admit culpability to the media, some punishment and restitution should take place, as it is not a secret anymore.  In Thailand, it could just amount to a slap on the wrist, or at worst, an inactive post for assaulting a student.  Then again there is this little gem:

 

On Wednesday, Gen Prawit told the media that it was usual in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps) for pre-cadets to be subjected to corporal punishment or “som” when they did something wrong and he himself used to be punished until he went unconscious, but he survived the ritual.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-defends-gen-prawits-controversial-remarks-pre-cadets-death/

 

Hope the family doesn't give up...pursue justice, not petty armed forces nonsense, for your son, as I would,

7 hours ago, webfact said:

will celebrate its 60th anniversary, with Prayut, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon and military chiefs expected to turn up to celebrate at their alma mater.

Phakhapong will never celebrate his 19th birthday, a marriage, children.

His parents mourn his death and the military parties.

2 hours ago, yellowboat said:

...he himself used to be punished until he went unconscious...

And some might argue, he's never recovered ever since...

Though it is my guess that the family is not going to end up getting much satisfaction with the end result of this, anything they can do to keep pressure on the army is a good thing. The army needs the scrutiny. They are above the law, and they are accountable to nobody. So, the longer this goes on, the better it is for the Thai people. 

Good luck with that. Even in the West the military operate in shrouds of secrecy with their own law enforcement system.

No they don't.

Sent from my KENNY using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

"Family of a cadet who died ...pledged to take legal action over the death."

 

I am sure they will be well received by the leaders and legal system of the "Hub of Deaf Ears".

16 minutes ago, jaltsc said:

"Family of a cadet who died ...pledged to take legal action over the death."

 

I am sure they will be well received by the leaders and legal system of the "Hub of Deaf Ears".

They will most likely get something, as the school admitted to malfeasances to the media, but it is doubtful it will come close to any sort of justice.  Then again, you could be right. 

They are right, there is more to this than what has come out so far. But do they have the influence and the backing  to dig deep enough? There are a lot of powerful members of the political machine and Thai society that will be trying to execute blocking maneuvers. Good luck to them, this is something that needs to be done.