Family demands probe into conscript’s death

By The Nation

 

 

The family of a conscript found hanged last week at a military base in Roi Et province has demanded an investigation into his death, insisting he had no motive to commit suicide.

 

On Monday, lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch accompanied family members of the dead man, Pitchawat Wiangnon, 22, to ask Crime Suppression Division chief Suwat Saengnum to get to the bottom of the matter. Pitchawat was found dead at Prasoet Songkram Military Camp on Friday.

 

Pitchawat's family said authorities threatened them when they asked for more information on his death, adding to their suspicion he had not killed himself.

 

Ronnarong said that Pitchawat had escaped from the camp the day before his death before being returned by his family at the request of Army officers.

 

The victim’s mother, Nookrai Bunwiset, 44, said an officer had physically assaulted Pitchawat in previous weeks. She said he had also suffered other incidents of hazing, making him fearful he would not survive in the hostile atmosphere if he returned to the camp.

 

She said her son suffered from tuberculosis and was frail.

 

The family was not permitted to see the body and an initial autopsy reported no internal injuries. Doubting the result, the family asked for a second autopsy, and the body was sent to the Forensic Science Institute in Bangkok.

 

Pitchawat was the second conscript reported dead in mysterious circumstances last week in the Northeast. Sataporn Piadpad was found dead in a punishment cell at the 36th Military Circle in Phetchabun province.

 

As public pressure mounted on Monday, Army chief Narongphan Jitkaewtae vowed that any wrongdoers in either case would face punishment.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30397633

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-10

 

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4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Pitchawat's family said authorities threatened them when they asked for more information on his death,

 

Typical authoritarian stance, <deleted> disgraceful !

Vowed that any wrongdoers in either case would face punishment ..alternatively swept under the carpet where there is a whole heap of bodies the same as always ????????Rip

This is a classic example of why conscription doesn't work, weak pathetic and trying to punch above their weight with zero success, they now have a large army of fig 11 targets any half decent militia will wipe out in a day... 

 

Thailand is not an at risk country with loads of sharks circling, there is not a lot you cannot get anywhere else, it's frankly a bit of a joke..

 

Their Army/Navy/ Air Force is a joke, they are untested and weak

 

The only reason for conscription is the 2000 retired generals/admirals/air marshals require gardeners, pathetic at best...

 

Awaiting incoming....

Poor family.   Taiwan, which faces a real threat unlike Thailand, did a way with forced military participation.   Why is it always conscripts?  Every time I see a time army uniform, it makes me sick to my stomach.  Such cowards.   

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The family was not permitted to see the body

 

good grief from a simple human aspect this is just so wrong and disheartening.  

3 hours ago, webfact said:

She said her son suffered from tuberculosis and was frail.

 

So he shouldn't have been there in the first place. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

She said her son suffered from tuberculosis and was frail.

So how the hell did he pass the medical before joining the army?

the army sure makes every effort to become as despised as the police

This is why the young people are protesting too. You've got a government using people as slaves in the form of conscripts. You've got reckless abuse being done to the 'enslaved' people. You've got deaths. And the regime, military, and police are not accountable for their actions to the people. And this happens again and again. We only hear of the deaths. All the power to the young people who want to end these crimes and hypocrisy and bring a government of the people which is responsible for its choices and actions. #JusticeForTheThaiPeople

Edited November 10, 20205 yr by TooBigToFit

7 hours ago, webfact said:

As public pressure mounted on Monday, Army chief Narongphan Jitkaewtae vowed that any wrongdoers in either case would face punishment.

If found.... which is not going to happen.

4 hours ago, colinneil said:

So how the hell did he pass the medical before joining the army?

You mean the "hand down the shorts & cough bit" ??

 

Another reason  Prayut gov needs to go. A real soldier wants to be there. But his to dumb to work that out

Very disturbing news and a disgrace for the Thai Army!! Pity the water canons cannot be aimed at a few generals! RIP to ALL conscripts who have died whilst serving in military establishments.

5 hours ago, colinneil said:

So how the hell did he pass the medical before joining the army?

His winning smile may have helped

7 hours ago, mark131v said:

This is a classic example of why conscription doesn't work, weak pathetic and trying to punch above their weight with zero success, they now have a large army of fig 11 targets any half decent militia will wipe out in a day... 

 

Thailand is not an at risk country with loads of sharks circling, there is not a lot you cannot get anywhere else, it's frankly a bit of a joke..

 

Their Army/Navy/ Air Force is a joke, they are untested and weak

 

The only reason for conscription is the 2000 retired generals/admirals/air marshals require gardeners, pathetic at best...

 

Awaiting incoming....

If they are untested, how do you know they're weak?

5 hours ago, colinneil said:

So how the hell did he pass the medical before joining the army?

And, Basic training boot camp

If he had TB as the family stated doesn't that make him intelligible to be conscripted - as working if you're a foreign worker with all the tests  means if positive result for anything you can't work? Or is this a Thai thing - once you're in you're in until you're out or quicker by death / suicide?