File photo for reference only

 

The parents of a Japanese tourist murdered in Sukhothai, Thailand, 18 years ago have appealed to Thai lawmakers to exempt her case from the 20-year statute of limitations. Yatsuaki and Aiko Kawashita visited parliament to discuss their daughter Tomoko Kawashita's case with Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, leader of the Prachachat Party. The family aims to ensure transparency and justice before the statute expires in 2027.

 

Tomoko Kawashita, 25 at the time, was raped and killed on the night of November 25, 2007, during the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai Historical Park. This case resurfaced when the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) reopened it in January 2024 to trace two foreign witnesses or suspects. The Kawashita family had previously met with Pol Col Tawee when he was justice minister to discuss possible statute exemptions.

 

On their recent visit, Kawashita's parents inquired about the progress of their petition and engaged in discussions about compensation and information exchange with Japanese authorities. They also submitted documents supporting the legal grounds for revoking the statute of limitations, a move already enacted in Japan for certain crimes.

 

The family has been advocating since 2019 for Thai authorities to amend or extend the statute of limitations for murder cases. Discussions included possible draft proposals that would suspend the statute if a suspect remains unidentified. The involvement of other Thai MPs suggests a growing legislative interest in justice reforms, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

• The Kawashita family is lobbying for changes to Thai law to ensure justice for their daughter's murder.
• The case is under renewed investigation by the DSI to find potential witnesses or suspects.
• Thai and Japanese authorities are cooperating to assess legal documentation for statute revocation.

 

Related Stories:

Five Family Members Found Dead in Suspected Murder -Suicide

Murder Suspect Caught After Manhunt Across Two Provinces

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-11-13

 

 

Sounds good to me but do they have some new evidence 

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The family aims to ensure transparency and justice before the statute expires in 2027.

 

Sadly, not in Thailand

 

Red BUll Boss - brown envelopes!

 

Koh Tao murders - 2 Burmese lads stitched up and framed by the RTP and local mafia!

There must be a few age appropriate Burmese fishermen who can't account for their whereabouts on that night in 2007.  Round up the usual suspects.