Rights activist’s concern as the trial of Ferrari Joe begins in Bangkok for killing of a drugs suspect

[webfact]

Forner police chief in Nakhon Sawan, Police Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon before his arrest and dismissal from the police force, is on trial before the Criminal Court in Bangkok along with six other officers for torturing a drug suspect to death on August 5th last. The 30-year-old former high flying policeman known for his penchant for fast cars and with the nickname ‘Ferrari Joe’ was later reported to have amassed assets of up to ฿600 million through a secretive internal government scheme to detect and seize illegally imported luxury cars into Thailand. (Inset top right) Scene from the shocking video showing the torture of Jeerapong Thanapat by Colonel Thitisan.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

The trial comes as a new law, strengthening legal protections against torture and human rights abuses against people held in custody with more transparency provisions, makes its way through Thailand’s parliament. The case of the suffocation of 24-year-old drug-dealing suspect, Jeerapong Thanapat, shocked Thailand to the core last August when a video clip emerged showing the police chief in Nakhon Sawan, currently facing trial on a capital murder charge, placed plastic bags over the victim’s head and fastened them while other police officers looked on at the main police station in the city.

 

A human rights activist has expressed unease at comments reportedly made by a lawyer for former police officer Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon at his trial at the Criminal Court in Bangkok which began last weekend and is due to resume at the end of this week, suggesting that the alleged murder of a detainee, a suspected drug dealer, in detention last August in Nakhon Sawan was a matter related simply to the application of excessive physical violence. The lawyer also took exception to third parties monitoring the trial suggesting that there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force.

 

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This week, it has emerged that a lawyer for Colonel Thitisan, also known in Thailand as ‘Ferrari Joe’, is asking the court to deny access to proceedings to human rights observers and activists who are anxious to hear details of the case and evidence linked with the alleged murder of a 24-year old drug-dealing suspect last August.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/08/activist-anxious-over-ferrari-joe-police-torture-trial/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-09

 

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[Sparktrader]

1st degree murder

[CharlieH]

When there is large sums of money involved I have serious doubts on the actual outcomes in this country.

 

 

[pacovl46]

1 hour ago, Sparktrader said:

1st degree murder

Not really. First degree means it was either planned, deliberate or willful and that was most definitely not the case. It was torture gone wrong and I hope he rots in prison for the next 25 years.

[Wiggy]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force.

How do you blacken something that’s already black?

[TheFishman1]

If they look at all the high-ranking police in Thailand this trial is just the tip of the iceberg corruption runs rampant here TIT

[Dukeleto]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The lawyer also took exception to third parties monitoring the trial suggesting that there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force.

I think they have managed to do that themselves a long long long before this ever happened.

[Dukeleto]

57 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

When there is large sums of money involved I have serious doubts on the actual outcomes in this country.

 

 

Unless it is decided to use you as an example and take one for the team and your acquired wealth redistributed. I believe standing on a bar of soap in prison is nearly always fatal.

[itsari]

Classic show trial now in process 

[ezzra]

A police colonel in Thailand is almost as powerful as god, unlike the police generals who are in their offices and have no access to what's going on on the streets, colonels are on the ground and their hands are everywhere, the man didn't know where to stop and as it looks now, either-way, i don't envy his future at all...

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A human rights activist has expressed unease at comments reportedly made by a lawyer for former police officer Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon at his trial at the Criminal Court in Bangkok which began last weekend and is due to resume at the end of this week, suggesting that the alleged murder of a detainee, a suspected drug dealer, in detention last August in Nakhon Sawan was a matter related simply to the application of excessive physical violence. The lawyer also took exception to third parties monitoring the trial suggesting that there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force.

Can't have the truth being made public can we.....

[Geoffggi]

This trial will probably commence with the statement -  "Once upon a time"

[koele2]

Don’t worry.  It’s all been decided and agreed upon beforehand.  Money has been exchanged, the police officers fate is already set.  We just won’t know what they agreed to until the verdict and punishment is revealed.  Or maybe the higher ups decided even this couldn’t be swept under the rug.  Either way, the decision has probably been made, and we won’t find out what it is until later.

[Chongalulu]

1 hour ago, Wiggy said:

How do you blacken something that’s already black?

"BRM" Black reputations matter…

[cncltd1973]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The lawyer also took exception to third parties monitoring the trial suggesting that there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force.

A bold reason to forego transparency in court. Why not let people watch if we already know what happened? The only things we don't know are the details of the wealth scheme and if it still continues...

[Plus Esse Quam Simultatur]

This case shouldn't take many days with the evidence shown already in the news but this is Thailand do it will probably take several years.

[Zack61]

Not sure justice is going to be served. 
Again!!!

You’ll be able to knock me over with a feather it is. 

[stephenterry]

The government should freeze and sanction his total assets pending on the outcome. That also should have applied to Red Bull geezer.

 

As if...

[crazykopite]

Correct me if I’m wrong but since this murder took place it’s taken a long time just to bring it to trial whereas the two Burmese lads who were found guilty of murder on the island of Koh Tao was done and dusted within a couple of months 

[paul1804]

Why try to hide evidence from your citizens?? Is this so you can let this guy off lightly by suppressing evidence for the supposed good reputation of RTP!

Based on their track record the authorities will more than likely come up with some ridiculous reason based on unfounded, unknown  & illogical evidence and let this guy off the charge that fits the crime! 

I hope I am wrong and they set a precedence by upholding & enforcing the law of Thailand as it should be for all and every citizen regardless of the position or office they do or do not hold!  Doing this will hugely improve their public opinion, image & perception from the people. 

Nothing mentioned about the illegal scam of importation of stolen cars from Singapore & Malaysia, is this being swept under the carpet because it involves many officials and would further damage the already tardy reputation of Thailands law enforcement and authorities!!

[mikebell]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force.

Well NAAC has just cleared General Rolex Prawit; it's Joe Ferrari's turn to be whitewashed in case he names those above him.

[Mr Meeseeks]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

This week, it has emerged that a lawyer for Colonel Thitisan, also known in Thailand as ‘Ferrari Joe’, is asking the court to deny access to proceedings to human rights observers and activists who are anxious to hear details of the case and evidence linked with the alleged murder of a 24-year old drug-dealing suspect last August.

A lot of dirty laundry.

 

Third World this place and never make the mistake of thinking it is anything else. 

[Sparktrader]

4 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

Not really. First degree means it was either planned, deliberate or willful and that was most definitely not the case. It was torture gone wrong and I hope he rots in prison for the next 25 years.

Planned torture

[Will B Good]

...."a matter related simply to the application of excessive physical violence"......I suspect this is often the case in violent deaths!!!

 

 

The lawyer also took exception to third parties monitoring the trial suggesting that there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force........................may serve to blacken the RTP......where has he been?

[internationalism]

very poor journalism this publication is. Very difficult to read and to find info.

This human rights organisation name and action in buried under repeated drivel of cops name, murder charges.

Edited March 9, 2022 by internationalism

[Mavideol]

single word  "farcical" but some of the synonyms would fit as well  555

 

 

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/farcical

adjective

If you describe a situation or event as farcical, you mean that it is so silly or extreme that you are unable to take it seriously.

[disapproval]

...a farcical nine months' jail sentence imposed yesterday on a killer.

Synonyms: ludicrous, ridiculous, absurd, preposterous  

 

[DavCurtis]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Can't have the truth being made public can we....

We absolutely can’t. 

[DualSportBiker]

10 hours ago, Wiggy said:

How do you blacken something that’s already black?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vantablack

 

There is more than one black apparently!

[Will B Good]

7 minutes ago, DualSportBiker said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vantablack

 

There is more than one black apparently!

Graphene set the record I think absorbing 99% of visible light at 550 nm.

[Banana7]

The court should find Joe guilty of man slaughter, at a minimum, jailed for 25 years, no chance of parole for 15 years, to send a strong signal to RTP the actions shown on the video are 100% wrong. The RTP need to be held to higher standards than the general public because they are in a trusted special position. This trial also talks to the lack of oversight by Joe's superior's and blind sight of his massive acquisition of assets.

 

I support the maximum penalty, a death sentence, to really send the shivers into the spines of all RTP. Let them appeal that sentence, while Joe is held in maximum security prison.

 

The trial needs to be fully transparent with news media and all third party categories in attendance. No hiding how justice is served in Thailand. Maybe even recorded as a video and posted on Youtube.

 

Edited March 9, 2022 by Banana7