Family Demands Justice Over Japanese Tourist’s Unsolved Murder

[webfact]

Family Demands Justice Over Japanese Tourist’s Unsolved Murder

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Tourism officials lay a wreath in December 2017 at the site where Tomoko Kawashita was found slain in Sukhothai province.

 

BANGKOK — The top justice official said Wednesday police are still looking for leads into who murdered a Japanese tourist in central Thailand 11 years ago.

 

Justice Minister Prajin Chanthong told reporters that police are set to increase the bounty being offered for tips leading to a conviction from 1.6 million baht to 2 million baht. Gen. Prajin said he hopes it will motivate those with knowledge of the crime to come forward.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2019/01/17/family-demands-justice-over-japanese-tourists-unsolved-murder/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2019-01-17

[webfact]

DSI to increase reward for information about a Japanese murder case 11 years ago

 

 

The Department of Special Investigation will consider increasing the reward for information which could provide a clue to resolving the murder of a Japanese tourist in the Sokhothai historical park in 2007.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Prajin Jantong said today that a reward of 1.6 million baht contributed by the Royal Thai Police, the Sukhothai police and the Department of Special Investigation had been offered some years ago for anyone who could provide information which would lead to the arrest of suspects in the murder case.

 

He said the DSI would consider increasing the reward by another 400,000 baht to two million baht which might hopefully provide more incentive for people who might have some clues about the criminal case to come forward.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/dsi-to-increase-reward-for-information-about-a-japanese-murder-case-11-years-ago/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-01-17

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Japanese father pleads for help in daughter's unsolved 2007 murder

By The Nation

 

Image: TNA

 

The father of a 25-year-old Japanese tourist who was raped and murdered inside Wat Saphan Hin in 2007 has appealed to the prime minister for help in solving the case.

 

Yasuaki Kawashita said that more than 11 years has passed with no progress in his daughter's case, and murder has a 20-year statute of limitations.

 

He pleaded for help from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and also urged the media to inform the public about the reward.

 

Kawashita and his wife, accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Shiro Sadoshima, met with Deputy Prime Minister in charge of justice, ACM Prajin Juntong, at Government House on Thursday.

 

Prajin said that the prime minister assigned him to talk and assure the family that the Thai government would not abandon the case. 

 

Prajin said he agreed to increase channels to urge the public to provide any leads they may have, and added that the reward for information would be increased from the current Bt1.6 million to Bt2 million, to encourage people to come forward.

 

The body of Japanese tourist Tomoko Kawashita, was found inside Wat Saphan Hin in the Sukhothai Historical Park compound on November 25, 2007, with physical evidence indicating that she had been raped. 

 

The DSI took up the case in 2011 after no progress had been made in the investigation. 

 

Although the DSI checked the DNA of 300 people living near the park, no one matched a DNA sample found on the girl's body.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30362425

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-17

[fruitman]

I really hope they find the murderer.....in the Wat...what a low life he is.

[alation]

Well so tragic for the girl to lose her life in such a way, also incredibly difficult for her parents still seeking the perpetrator(s) to come to justice. Hold on mum and dad justice will be served just keep it up in front of the police and media. 

[mickymouse1]

I wonder if the killer is or was within those HOLLY walls????

[Redline]

They couldn’t pay their way out of this one?

[Bangkok Barry]

On 1/17/2019 at 4:22 PM, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Prajin said that the prime minister assigned him to talk and assure the family that the Thai government would not abandon the case. 

 

What has investigating a murder got to do with the government? In the real world that is the work of the police. Probably the Japanese knew it was a waste of time though appealing to the police at any level, including at the very top. But the Thai attitude behind closed doors is probably that it happened and nothing can change that so move on, please.

[Gillyflower]

I was in Sukhothai at the time.  The local cops couldn't handle it so the BIG boys came up from B'kok.  They must have come to my GH at least 6 times, as they did to all the others.  At the time a Japanese tourist was highly suspected but he left and went back to Japan, straight away.  Never heard what went on about him. She couldn't get a room,so went out to the ruins to film the sunrise. 

[thequietman]

DNA check of former and current monks should find him I think, but will they do it? most likely NO!