The Murder Case Of Jules Odekerken - Nov. 17, 2003

[LaoPo]

Mods, please accept this topic in 'General news' as the family of this brutally murdered Dutchman ask as many people as possible to attend the Court, tomorrow Wednesday November 7th.

I tried to find news but couldn't find anything on this case on Thaivisa, sorry.

The MURDER CASE of Ir. (Engineer) Jules Odekerken - 46, a Dutchman who was brutally murdered on November 17, 2003.

Jules Odekerken

Jules Odekerken met his wife, Marisa Prommana, on one of his business trips. They moved (together with Marisa's firstborn from another marriage) and married in Holland on April 4, 1997 and had a babygirl Massaya but Marisa couldn't adapt to Jules' country so they moved to Thailand end 1998.

He worked in Bangkok for the Rabobank, a large Dutch Bank. Later he started his own business in BKK. His wife claimed she couldn't stand the 'air' in BKK so they moved to Pattaya where they lived in a big villa. During the week Jules worked in BKK and spent his weekends in Pattaya.

Photobook of Jules Odekerken where he also receives an award from Princess Ubonratana.

His Thai wife Marisa Prommana, an ex-prostitute who also ran a brothel, who is suspected of arranging his murder (but free on bail at the moment -but not sure if she still is). Her brother Seksan Pornhommana and her lover Anupong Sutthani are the other suspects.

It is said the Anupong is a Mayor of a village in Southern Thailand and has influential high-so contacts...he was free on bail because he claims to be innocent. Not anymore I suspect.

Her brother Seksan was already convicted for another murder (before the murder on Jules Odekerken) but 'bought' free by his sister, with money from Jules Odekerken...

Jules and his wife had 2 children, a girl -Massaya- and a boy -Sob Chai-; Jules didn't know the boy was not his. Sob Chai was from Marisa's lover, Anupong.

Marisa had another child -Kawiphan- from a previous marriage but Jules treated her as his own daughter.

The wife's brother Seksan Pornhommana;

Confessed murderer Seksan Pornhommana reenacts the crime for police.

The wife's lover Annupong Sutthani

Anupong Suthithani, a municipal public works officer in the southern province of Chumporn, denied the charges, but evidence against him is piling up.

Wednesday November 7th, 2007 at 10.00 o'clock the Court in Pattaya/Jomtien, Thrappayaroad, will speak the verdicts in the brutal murder.

Jules Odekerken website -also in English-:

http://www.julesodekerken.com/

and:

http://www.julesodekerken.com/ where Jules Odekerken receives an award from Princess Ubonratana.

The news from November 28, 2003:

Two men arrested for brutal murder of Dutch national

Mutilated corpse found in Banglamung rubbish dump

Boonlua Chatree

Two men, including a municipal official, have been arrested and charged with the brutal murder of Jules Marcel Nicol Odekerken, a Dutch News agent and freelance reporter.

The body of Jules Marcel Nicol Odekerken, 46, was found early Monday morning on November 17 in a rubbish bin behind Bavaria Village in Banglamung. The victim, almost unrecognizable, had been strangled, shot in the back and a large concrete post had been slammed on top of the body, disfiguring most facial features.

Later that day police found the dead man’s bloodstained vehicle on Sukhumvit Road near Central Pattaya. The car was taken to Banglamung police station where forensic teams went through it looking for clues.

Regional police officials became involved after receiving news of the brutal crime. The dead man’s wife, Malissa Pornhommana, her brother, Seksan Pornhommana, and two of their friends were brought in for an interview. They were released but were told not to leave the area.

Following an all night interrogation, Seksan Pornhommana eventually confessed to the crime saying that the instigator was a man by the name of Anupong Suthithani, a municipal public works officer in the southern province of Chumporn. A warrant for the arrest of Anupong aka ‘Daeng’ was immediately issued and he was arrested at his office in Chumporn on November 18 and extradited to Pattaya for questioning.

On Wednesday November 19, Seksan re-enacted the crime and described how he and Anupong strangled the foreigner and transported the body by car to the garbage site. Anupong told police that he agreed to help the municipal officer after ‘Daeng’ had helped clear him of a theft charge in the province of Suratthani a few years ago.

Through a re-enactment of the slaying, Seksan told police how they strangled the man as Anupong drove the car to the dumpsite. However, when Odekerken regained his senses, the foreigner was shot in the back, tossed into the rubbish tip and a large concrete block was dropped on the victim’s head. The car was subsequently abandoned on Sukhumvit Road, near Central Pattaya.

Anupong denied any involvement in the killing; however, he did say that he had stayed at the residence over the Loy Krathong festival to watch the long boat races before flying back to Chumporn for work. Investigating officers say that although he is within his rights to deny the charges, they have enough evidence for a conviction. Anupong has been detained and refused bail.

Seksan explained to police that since Anupong’s involvement in clearing his previous criminal case, the man had become fond of his sister and he suspected that they were lovers. Officers also suspect that another motive for the attack was the fact that Odekerken had a large amount of assets and two life insurance policies in Thailand and abroad, estimated at a total value of around 200 million baht.

The plot thickened as Anupong continued to maintain his innocence, claiming that he did not know the dead man or his wife. Those close to the Malissa Pornhommana told investigating officers a different story, saying that Daeng had a child with Malissa a number of years ago and that he had also threatened to kill her if she did not hand over money and a vehicle.

Police called in on Malissa, Odekerken’s legal wife who told police that the story was in fact true and that Daeng had threatened to kill her in the past. Officers confiscated photos of the pair together as further evidence after which she went into hiding fearing reprisals from Daeng’s dark influences.

The two men have been charged with first-degree murder and if found guilty, they could be sentenced to death.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: http://www.pattayamail.com/539/news.shtml

Note:

The family of Jules Odekerken politely ask anyone interested and/or familiar with this murder case to come to the trial to support the family, on Wednesday, November 7th, which is TOMORROW.

LaoPo

Edited November 5, 2007 by LaoPo

[sriracha john]

a large concrete block was dropped on the victim’s head, disfiguring most facial features.

I recall reading about this murder at the time as this exceptionally brutal aspect stands out. I'll be interested to see how justice turns out for the trio tomorrow.

Edited November 6, 2007 by sriracha john

[jayjayjayjay]

Unfortunately will not be able to attend. My spirit are with the entire family. Hopefully this will not be a verdic of us versa them verdict. Pray for justic.

[kmart]

May they rot in hel_l. Wish I could attend the Court tomorrow.

[tijnebijn]

Good thing you reported this topic on the forum Laopao .

I stay a bit to far to attend , really hope the guilty get what they deserve .

Please keep us fellow countrymen up to date about the verdict ,

its a very brutal murder and its just to said for words ,

my thoughts are with his family .

The one thing I do not read about anywhere

is what happened with his kids , hope they are taking care of

well , cause they are also victims .

[mrtoad]

Lets hope there is some justice in this horrible case.

[mrtoad]

Any up dates on this?

[lazeeboy]

Any up dates on this?

well the 7ths come and gone ,any news yet on the verdict ............

[Acquiesce]

Any up dates on this?

well the 7ths come and gone ,any news yet on the verdict ............

The 7th has come but not yet gone.

***off-topic comment removed--see post below*** sbk

[sbk]

Off-topic posts have been deleted or edited.

Lets show some sensitivity to the family of the deceased shall we? As the family could very well be reading this, perhaps think how you would feel if it were your son or brother before posting.

[mrtoad]

So, back to the question before the pedants came out. Has there been any news on this? Or do the courts here stay open until the late hours of the day on cases such as these, hence no verdict delivered at this point?

[LaoPo]

So, back to the question before the pedants came out. Has there been any news on this? Or do the courts here stay open until the late hours of the day on cases such as these, hence no verdict delivered at this point?

I am not in Thailand now but couldn't find anything else yet on the verdicts so far.

I have written to Pattaya People and asked them the outcome.

I will inform about the answer here as soon as I get an answer.

LaoPo

[Acquiesce]

What court was the trial held at?

[mrtoad]

What court was the trial held at?

Wednesday November 7th, 2007 at 10.00 o'clock the Court in Pattaya/Jomtien, Thrappayaroad, will speak the verdicts in the brutal murder.

[sriracha john]

Off-topic posts have been deleted or edited.

Lets show some sensitivity to the family of the deceased shall we? As the family could very well be reading this, perhaps think how you would feel if it were your son or brother before posting.

Thank you and very true, eg. this thread is listed at #1 after a Google search on "Odekerken Thailand"

[LaoPo]

Off-topic posts have been deleted or edited.

Lets show some sensitivity to the family of the deceased shall we? As the family could very well be reading this, perhaps think how you would feel if it were your son or brother before posting.

Thank you and very true, eg. this thread is listed at #1 after a Google search on "Odekerken Thailand"

Thank you, Sriracha John, much appreciated.

Bitter enough I just found this interview with Jules Odekerken on the website of the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce...:

excerpts:

" During one of these trips I met my wife and after a certain time she came to Holland to join me. But in 1998 my wife and I figured out that she never could develop herself as she could do in Thailand."

"Of course, because of my relation with my wife I met the "common" Thai but also always for a short time and during that time these people do everything to make you happy and feel comfortable. But be sure behind most of the smiles is a life full of struggles and hardship. What also amazed me is the materialism, greed, jealousy and envy of some of the Thai."

"My wife and three children * aren't living in Bangkok as my wife refuses to do so. My wife is running the Phattaya branch of NewsToday. I travel 3 times a week to Jomtien, Phattaya to join them."

"Yes, I'm far more relaxed now, despite having to build up two companies and build a new house. If you have set your priorities straight, have a loving family and a good running business, you can live your life as if you are having a holiday the whole year through."

How wrong he was, unfortunately, not realizing that his quote "materialism, greed, jealousy and envy" was actually living in his own house......

From: http://www.ntccthailand.or.th/miniinterview.htm

May he Rest In Peace and that the family will be able to continue their lives in Memory of this nice chap.

* What a great man, speaking about his 3 children....not knowing only one was his, not two...(the first child was his wife's from a first marriage).

Hope that Justice will be done.

LaoPo

[kash]

So what was the verdict?

[LaoPo]

So what was the verdict?

I am so sorry but I can't provide any news, so far. I have tried to find news but didn't succeed. I have left a message on the mobile phone of the spokesman for the Odekerken Family and as soon as I have news, I will post it here.

LaoPo

[mrtoad]

So what was the verdict?

I am so sorry but I can't provide any news, so far. I have tried to find news but didn't succeed. I have left a message on the mobile phone of the spokesman for the Odekerken Family and as soon as I have news, I will post it here.

LaoPo

Lao Pao, I hope that we can get the news soon. Thanks for keeping us informed.

This thread should stay near the top to ensure that people are aware of what is going on.

[Acquiesce]

This thread should stay near the top to ensure that people are aware of what is going on.

Bump!

[withnail]

From the website:

9 November, 2007

Verdict in the Jules Odekerken murder case adjourned to 21 December

Pattaya- The judge has decided to adjourn the verdict to 21 December at 10 o’clock a.m., because the suspect Anuphong Suthani did not appear in court for the session of 7 November. The judge has also made a warrant to arrest Anuphong. He had been released on bail. Seksan, brother to Jules Odekerken’s wife, immediately confessed the crime and has been in custody for four years now, awaiting his verdict, which is also due on 21 December.

Many people in the courtroom

Many people were in the courtroom when the judge made his statement. Among them were quite a few Dutchmen, who wanted to show their support to the Odekerken family with their presence. The Dutch Ambassador, Mr. Pieter Marres, also attended the session in Pattaya, with a number of his staff members on behalf of the Dutch authorities. Not only brothers and sisters of Jules were present, but also two previous business associates, who were also very close friends to Jules, were there.

Confidence

“We are full of confidence, in view of the statements made by witnesses, that the Thai judge will convict the suspects on 21 December”, says the Odekerken family. “We are also very pleased with the support we get from the Thai authorities, who received us in a most excellent way, and who guaranteed our security. We would also like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador, Mr. Pieter Marres and Member of Parliament, Mr. Fred Teeven. Their efforts are a great moral support to us”.

Editorial note:

For further information on this press memo, please contact Mr. Bart Bakker, spokesman for the family. (telephone 00 31- 651977133. You will find background information concerning this case on the website www.julesodekerken.nl .

Edited November 9, 2007 by withnail

[pointofview]

the suspect Anuphong Suthani did not appear in court for the session of 7 November. The judge has also made a warrant to arrest Anuphong. He had been released on bail.

Why is the suspect in a murder trial of this nature granted bail?

Because he held an official post (mayor) - evden if he is jailed he will likley be bought out once the dust settles. They should all be excecuted - slowly!

[howtoescape]

Because he held an official post (mayor) - even if he is jailed he will likely be bought out once the dust settles.

If that happens in a high profile case such as this where leading Dutch officials are attending it will highlight Thailand as being the banana republic it still is and im my view will always be for a very long time.

[LaoPo]

From the website:

9 November, 2007

Verdict in the Jules Odekerken murder case adjourned to 21 December

Pattaya- The judge has decided to adjourn the verdict to 21 December at 10 o’clock a.m., because the suspect Anuphong Suthani did not appear in court for the session of 7 November. The judge has also made a warrant to arrest Anuphong. He had been released on bail. Seksan, brother to Jules Odekerken’s wife, immediately confessed the crime and has been in custody for four years now, awaiting his verdict, which is also due on 21 December.

Many people in the courtroom

Many people were in the courtroom when the judge made his statement. Among them were quite a few Dutchmen, who wanted to show their support to the Odekerken family with their presence. The Dutch Ambassador, Mr. Pieter Marres, also attended the session in Pattaya, with a number of his staff members on behalf of the Dutch authorities. Not only brothers and sisters of Jules were present, but also two previous business associates, who were also very close friends to Jules, were there.

Confidence

“We are full of confidence, in view of the statements made by witnesses, that the Thai judge will convict the suspects on 21 December”, says the Odekerken family. “We are also very pleased with the support we get from the Thai authorities, who received us in a most excellent way, and who guaranteed our security. We would also like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador, Mr. Pieter Marres and Member of Parliament, Mr. Fred Teeven. Their efforts are a great moral support to us”.

Editorial note:

For further information on this press memo, please contact Mr. Bart Bakker, spokesman for the family. (telephone 00 31- 651977133. You will find background information concerning this case on the website www.julesodekerken.nl .

Thank you 'withnail' for the update; I didn't see it yet. I didn't receive a call or answer from Mr. Bakker, the spokesman of the family, but understand that he has been busy, most likely.

Some notes:

1. The bad news is that the Judge decided to postpone the verdict to Dec. 21, but the GOOD NEWS is that he ordered the arrest of the suspect. This guy claims he is innocent since the arrest 4 years ago. So, if he is innocent, why not show up ?

What worries me also is that there is not a single word about Marisa, Jules Odekerken's wife, who was/is accused of planning the murder, together with the 2 other suspects (her brother and lover).

Was she in the Courtroom ? I suppose so, since she wasn't mentioned as 'not showing up' also.

2. It is quite exceptional that the Ambassador of The Netherlands in Thailand, Mr. Pieter Marres and his staff attended the Court in Pattaya. Chapeau !

3. Also 'Chapeau' for the Thai Authorities.

LaoPo

[mrtoad]

Well, let's hope that there is some justice on this one on the 21st of December. Totally ridiculous though that a murder suspect is out on bail.

[pointofview]

Have i missed something here - where is his wife, is she in Jail?

Only in thailand would a suspect whom has lied about even knowing 'Malissa' be allowed bail - for 4 years (4 YEARS!!)

I wouldnt expect to much from the court if past cases are anything to go by. Some may recall - not so long ago - the case of the Kiwi guy who was shot dead by his bargirl-friends boyfriend. He had previusly transfered approx 1 million baht to her account and when it was time to use the money for a property deal she had him killed rather than hand over the money. She used the gold bracelet he had bought her for xmas as a down payment for the hit. To cut a long story short the court released her after fining her 1 million baht - she said he was abusive towards her - although every one who new then as a couple confirmed he was good to her and generous. He had previously bought her parents a house and her a car

Also while were on the subject - it seems that the policeman who brutaly killed the young english couple in Kanchanaburi a couple of years ago is not listed as being in any thia prison!!

[JetsetBkk]

Also while were on the subject - it seems that the policeman who brutaly killed the young english couple in Kanchanaburi a couple of years ago is not listed as being in any thia prison!!

What list? Link please.

[howtoescape]

Also while were on the subject - it seems that the policeman who brutaly killed the young english couple in Kanchanaburi a couple of years ago is not listed as being in any thia prison!!

If you could confirm that he wasnt in prison then surely a news channel or journalist in the UK would be more then happy to do a story on this.

Lets say it was true and did make the news that would be bad for tourism, which seems to be the only concern of the Thai government in cases involving farangs being bumped off.

Edited November 9, 2007 by howtoescape

[LaoPo]

PLEASE Let us stay on topic:

"The Murder Case Of Jules Odekerken"

If you wish to discuss other murder cases, which I fully understand, please open another topic.

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

How unfortunate for the family members and friends who traveled all the way to Thailand to attend the verdict hearing only to have it delayed for an additional six weeks necessitating an additional round-trip in the future. All because a man who had been released on bail failed to show up. As he resides in a distant province from where the court case was being handled and was facing the potential for a lengthy prison sentence, perhaps a prudent step would have been to revoke his bail a few days before hand to ensure his presence at the trial.

Kudos to the Dutch Ambassador who went to the trial and thus kept the profile of this case at a high level and further shamed the court system by the trial's postponement due to a bailee's no-show.

Edited November 9, 2007 by sriracha john