Parents of killed activist demand Army hand over video

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

 

THE LAWYER for the family of young Lahu activist Chaiyaphum Pasae, who was shot dead by soldiers at a military checkpoint in March last year, has petitioned the Army to hand over video footage from the scene.

 

The surveillance footage – the most important evidence in the case – has not been handed to investigators and is still missing from the case.

 

Lawyer Ratsada Manuratsada yesterday handed over a petition addressed to Army Commander-in-Chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart requesting he hand over the footage.

 

“I come to Royal Thai Army Headquarters today on the behalf of Chaiyaphum’s mother to ask for the disclosure of the CCTV footage as per her right to information under the Official Information Act,” Ratsada told the Army chief’s secretary, Maj-General Panatat Kanjanawasit, who promised to pass on the petition to his boss.

 

 

“We also urge the Army to disclose this prime evidence to the public, as it will not only clear up the ambiguities in this case and help the family, but also benefit the Army and defendants by showing if Chaiyaphum was really trying to fight the soldiers.” 

 

The Army claims soldiers shot Chaiyaphum, 17, in self-defence.

 

Ratsada said the Army had also promised to instruct the 3rd Army’s Pha Muang Task Force to hand over the footage to Chaiyaphum’s family soon.

 

Chaiyaphum was shot dead by a soldier at a military checkpoint in Ban Rin Luang of Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao District on March 17, 2017.

 

The soldier later claimed that Chaiyaphum had tried to throw a grenade. Surveillance cameras were operating at the checkpoint at the time of the killing. Neither the investigating officers nor Chaiyaphum’s family have |seen the footage from the scene, as the hard disk initially handed over by the Army was found to be empty.

 

Lacking this crucial evidence, the Chiang Mai Provincial Court on June 6 ruled that Chaiyaphum was shot dead by the soldier, but did not touch on the reason for the killing.

 

Ratsada said Chaiyaphum’s family was still suffering and felt justice had not been served due to the vague nature of the investigation of their son’s killing. 

 

They would continue to pursue justice for their son, the lawyer said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30348053

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-19

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

Lacking this crucial evidence, the Chiang Mai Provincial Court on June 6 ruled that Chaiyaphum was shot dead by the soldier, but did not touch on the reason for the killing.

the judiciary,  in their own way affirming the army is above the law

If there is one thing the Thai army is good at, it's shielding wrongdoers from punishment and covering up crimes committed by its own. Along with staging coups and being involved in dodgy procurements it is the only thing it has been consistent in. Pathetic outfit at best

2 hours ago, webfact said:

as the hard disk initially handed over by the Army was found to be empty.

 

As are most of their promises. They have no intention to be judged, ever.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Ratsada said the Army had also promised to instruct the 3rd Army’s Pha Muang Task Force to hand over the footage to Chaiyaphum’s family soon.

Somehow if the video does come out, it is doubtful it will be unedited for national security reasons. 

 Fighting the soldiers  or throwing a grenade, a little difference in language used, 

in the act of throwing so the pin was pulled ? We never heard about the maimed victims from the blast, or did some one catch the grenade and put the pin back in.

(movie fantasy)

 

Grieving for ever this looks  like for the family,

some really bad things happen here and this one,

1 of the explanations why Thailand is still a 3rd world country

Edited June 19, 20188 yr by Raymonddiaz

One law for the poor; no law for the rich; the army; the police.

1 hour ago, leeneeds said:

 Fighting the soldiers  or throwing a grenade, a little difference in language used, 

in the act of throwing so the pin was pulled ? We never heard about the maimed victims from the blast, or did some one catch the grenade and put the pin back in.

(movie fantasy)

 

Grieving for ever this looks  like for the family,

some really bad things happen here and this one,

Quite right, leeneeds. Did it explode? If so, was any shrapnel presented.

 

On another point, Thai courts seem to have huge powers to hold people in contempt. You can be held in contempt for criticizing them. Presumably, the courts could have simply ordered the army to hand over the evidence. Or would that be too impolite?

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

the judiciary,  in their own way affirming the army is above the law

 

The judiciary doing what it's paid to do.

 

On a related topic, I gather from the newspapers that so far from the Doi Suthep houses being demolished and the area reforested, judiciary and staff staff have actually started to move in.

 

So much for that toseer Prayuth then. Caught out in another lie

Edited June 19, 20188 yr by KiwiKiwi

9 minutes ago, tomta said:

Quite right, leeneeds. Did it explode? If so, was any shrapnel presented.

 

On another point, Thai courts seem to have huge powers to hold people in contempt. You can be held in contempt for criticizing them. Presumably, the courts could have simply ordered the army to hand over the evidence. Or would that be too impolite?

Only if they were prepared to go against what the government instructed. That isn't going to happen.

 

Still, this case is yet more petrol on the fire. With any luck.

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

the judiciary,  in their own way affirming the army is above the law

Before the judiciary may have followed the law, now they follow the military.

"We have a trolley full of evidence, but the camera- footage, we have used up!"

 

I would say that if they still refuse to release it (if it still exists), it's because they're something to hide. 

On 6/19/2018 at 5:34 AM, YetAnother said:

the judiciary,  in their own way affirming the army is above the law

Police and army are above the law in every country .