Two Tourists In Pai Shot By A Police Officer

[PhilHarries]

I am sorry for the poor guy and his family. I just cant believe how badly the media can screw up a story . Even the Bangkok post said that she was shot in the hip when its pretty clear from the pictures that she was shot in the chest. Why would she be out drinking if she was pregnant. The coppers story stinks to high heaven. I really hope they get to the bottom of this.

"The media" can very easily screw up any story because "the media" is dependant on that most unreliable species "the journalist". Now some of these guys are tenacious investigative types who know that 50% of what they hear aint true and the other 50% are lies so they ask and ask and dig and dig. But some journos go the easy route, attend the press briefing take the printout official statement, file it with the news desk and p1ss off down the bar where they fill in the most important document of the day - the expense report.

btw do you really think that 100% of pregnant women never drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take drugs?

[Briggsy]

Do you remember the Somchai Wisetsingh case in Kanjanaburi. Part of the appalling disinformation coming from the Kanjanaburi police was that the female victim had slept with the policeman killer. This utterly untrue and nauseating attempt to smear the victims may be repeating itself here. It is important to question all the information issued by the police in these cases.

[beammeup]

You would think that the Post or Nation would have a correspondent in Chaing Mai that could investigate. This is the kind of story that attracts a lot of attention.

[advice]

Here is the full article from today's Nation, without comments...

SURVIVOR'S CLAIM

Cop 'executed my best friend'

Officer 'hit me, shot Leo twice, then fired at me'

A young Canadian woman told yesterday how a Thai policeman shot dead her best friend in Pai in the North, then shot another bullet into his heart as he lay on the ground.

Carly Reisig, 24, said the policeman had no grounds at all for the attack - and that after he shot fellow Canadian John Leo del Pinto, the officer turned his gun on her and shot her in the chest.

Speaking from her bed in hospital in Chiang Mai, Reisig, from Chilliwack, British Columbia, rejected a police statement that suggested Sgt-Major Uthai Dechawiwat, 37, had intervened to break up a fight and his gun had discharged in a struggle.

She pointed to her chest where the bullet was lodged close to her own heart.

"There never was a fight. That is not true," she said. "John was my ex-boyfriend, but still my best friend. We had nothing to argue about. We had been drinking in the Be-Bop Bar in Pai and were heading for a last drink at the Bamboo Bar near the bridge.

"We were walking together. My Thai boyfriend Fuen was walking slightly behind.

"A man came up to me on the road near Pee Dang's Restaurant and hit me for no reason.

"My face was painted with face paint, for fun, but I don't know why he hit me. We had never met him before, never seen him before. We were unarmed and walking down the road after a good night out.

"He was dressed in plain clothes, a white T-shirt. Leo shouted at him, 'You can't hit her!' and pushed him away from us. Then the man went to his motorbike and got his gun, and Leo tried to get it away from him.

"They had a struggle for the gun, then the man got control of the gun and stepped back and shot Leo directly in the face.

"Leo fell to the ground and the man pointed the gun at his heart and fired a second shot. Then he turned around to me and aimed for my heart and shot me in the chest.

"I blacked out and when I came to I saw Leo lying dead on the road beside me. My lungs filled up with blood and I couldn't breathe.

"I went to Pai Hospital and then to a hospital in Chiang Mai. They had to put a tube into my lungs to drain the blood so that I could breathe again.

"I can't believe that my best friend is dead and I've got a bullet right beside my heart.

"I have never been married, I am not pregnant. Leo was my ex-boyfriend from Canada. He had arrived in Pai a few days before to see me."

Sitting by her bed was her boyfriend Rattaporn Vara-wadee, an artist nicknamed Fuen.

He said: "Nothing we did gave this man the right to take lives. We are angry now and we need help and a good lawyer. We are shocked to hear that the policeman is already out on bail."

Asked again if they had been fighting, she replied: "Not at all, he was my best friend." She had spoken to del Pinto's family and said: "They are not doing well."

Suchart Pantai, the owner of Be-Bop Bar, said he saw the couple and Fuen leave his bar at about 1am. "There was no fighting. But I heard from other sources that they were play-fighting as they walked."

Reisig has been in Thailand for a year, leaving occasionally on visa runs. She has worked in Canada with physically and mentally handicapped people.

John Leo del Pinto, also 24, from Calgary in Alberta in west Canada, was a former music student who earned a living as a promoter and concert organiser.

Uthai Dechawiwat has been charged with murder, manslaughter and attempted murder, but the version of events issued by police in Pai is at total variance with Miss Reisig's story.

Case investigator Pol Lt-Colonel Sombat Panya said the couple had been drinking in a local pub and had become involved in a drunken brawl after del Pinto, who recently arrived in Thailand, found that Reisig was pregnant to a Thai man known as Fuen.

The couple continued arguing after they left the pub when Uthai arrived at the scene, near a bridge, on personal business. Uthai approached them and asked them to be calm but both foreigners turned to attack him.

The officer said Uthai was beaten to the ground by the couple. After managing to get up, Uthai pointed his service pistol to threaten away both foreigners, but del Pinto tried to snatch the pistol from him. After a scuffle, shots were fired and the couple went down.

Last night Graham Arscott, the father of Vanessa Arscott, 23, who was gunned down in Kanchanaburi with her boyfriend Adam Lloyd, 24, by Police Sgt-Major Wisetsingh said: "So sad. I feel so terribly sorry for this young man's family."

In the River Kwai case, Wisetsingh shot the couple dead in a fit of rage after being beaten to the ground by Lloyd, who it is believed thought the policeman was trying to hit on his girlfriend.

Like the Kanchanaburi case, the killing in the idyllic tourist village of Pai has the semblance of another police "loss of face" execution.

Andrew Drummond

Special to The Nation - 08 January 2008

from the survivor... I know which story I believe.

The cop is a murderer, plain and simple. country Thai mentality, where life has no real value.

RIP.

[scotwumman]

Well yes that is true if you lived somewhere where you had limits in reporting the facts which are very obviously being

either coerced or shoved under the carpet ie you print what I tell you

[Mamboking]

Guys, I was really surprised after read this topic. Everything is so terrible? So why you are still here? Why don't you come back to your countries? Don't say "Thai are so bad! They are always against poor falangs!". Here is three ways:

1. Fight for your right.

2. To come back.

3. Accept these all as it is.

[beammeup]

The Nations story is much more thorough than the post. the posts story is a pretty sorry piece of journalism. I think most women refrane from getting sh!tfaces when pregnant, obviously not all.

[aussimike]

If he is Canadian I hope his Embassy pushes things.

Embassies are there to promote trade, not to help their citizens; that is a very minor function. They will help the victims relatives, a bit, but as far as make waves that is not their remit.

What a stupid idiotic thing to say mr yorkman -- just remember that the next time your in trouble or need help from your old homeland -- embassies here to promote trade not help citizens - really -- hey wake up ole fell - you have been living in the wilderness for too long and its stupid comments like this that make the rest of us - just wonder -

[scotwumman]

Hi mamboking I am a regular visitor to your country and see your point. I come from a land where there are

many incomers too but I dont tell them just go home when any of their people are wrongly treated, agree

in this case the facts are not yet known.

[aussimike]

The Nations story is much more thorough than the post. the posts story is a pretty sorry piece of journalism. I think most women refrane from getting sh!tfaces when pregnant, obviously not all.

yes could not agree more -- the post seem to have gotten all the facts wrong =- congrats to the nation for there almost believable story -- feel so sorry for the guy = and also the lady -- out enjoying a nite out nite with her thai boyfriend and an old friend from canada -- i sure hope justice is done but remembering we are in the land of smiles - perhaps not -- always the cover up --- so so sad - i wish her a speedy recovery - the scares of which will be with her always --

[aaaaaa]

It is highly unlikely that any policeman's story in this country is believable. It is well known that in the

Thailand that the cops change the facts to fit the horsepucky.

It wouldn't suprise me if someone snuck into the hospital where the wife is and snuffed her out to keep

her from testifying to the actual facts against the cop.

well, it is not only Thai cops are such

watch this video where Russo shares his own personal experience about US cops ! "the draconian and mafia tactics of Chicago police" in 80s

"they do whatever they want to do... and there is nothing that citizen can do about it... the Supreme Court is RULED...

you have to pay them ... they can hurt you, they can put you in jail, they can torture you.... if you don't pay - you might get hurt ! the fact is - you're being FORCED, compelled to pay, because you're facing jail sentences... you're facing CORRUPTION of the courts... so, you pay just like you pay the mafia...

BUT

with the mafia at least you have the government and court to come and try to help you ...

and here there is NO ONE to protect you ! "

some other interesting things are mentioned there too - particularly about the deeper roots of all such problems, which are viewed rather like the SYMPTOMS of the actual problems, the signs on the surface only....

so, it is not at all only in Thailand happening...

[kdvsn]

Do you remember the Somchai Wisetsingh case in Kanjanaburi. Part of the appalling disinformation coming from the Kanjanaburi police was that the female victim had slept with the policeman killer. This utterly untrue and nauseating attempt to smear the victims may be repeating itself here. It is important to question all the information issued by the police in these cases.

What was the end result in the Kanjanaburi case, was the cop found quilty and sent to jail?

Edited January 8, 2008 by kdvsn

[Prakanong]

It is highly unlikely that any policeman's story in this country is believable. It is well known that in the

Thailand that the cops change the facts to fit the horsepucky.

It wouldn't suprise me if someone snuck into the hospital where the wife is and snuffed her out to keep

her from testifying to the actual facts against the cop.

well, it is not only Thai cops are such

watch this video where Russo shares his own personal experience about US cops ! "the draconian and mafia tactics of Chicago police" in 80s

"they do whatever they want to do... and there is nothing that citizen can do about it... the Supreme Court is RULED...

you have to pay them ... they can hurt you, they can put you in jail, they can torture you.... if you don't pay - you might get hurt ! the fact is - you're being FORCED, compelled to pay, because you're facing jail sentences... you're facing CORRUPTION of the courts... so, you pay just like you pay the mafia...

BUT

with the mafia at least you have the government and court to come and try to help you ...

and here there is NO ONE to protect you ! "

some other interesting things are mentioned there too - particularly about the deeper roots of all such problems, which are viewed rather like the SYMPTOMS of the actual problems, the signs on the surface only....

so, it is not at all only in Thailand happening...

Yes things happen elsewhere but this incident happened in Thailand and you are possting on www.thaivisa.com and not on chicagovisa.com

Does a heinous crime comited elsewhere that is similar to one in Thailand make it less serious?

Yes it may be symptomatic of deeper problems in Thai society but just like with Dengue we need to treat the symptoms while waiting for a cure for the deeper ills.

I have more faith in the treatment of the symptoms at the moment (even if only very slightly) than I am about seeing a cure for the deeper ills.

[ray08]

--Andrew Drummond's article from the Nation--

from the survivor... I know which story I believe.

The cop is a murderer, plain and simple. country Thai mentality, where life has no real value.

RIP.

I Agree , how can a gun accidentaly go off and one person gets shot in the head and heart and another shot in the chest near the heart, very , very unlikly , also if the gun was pulled out from the police person , surely the safety pin would be on, so who released the safety , the victim or the shooter ?

Edited January 8, 2008 by meadish_sweetball
Removed re-quote of the entire Nation article. Please try to use selective quoting. /Meadish

[maxbentley]

Family demands answers in shooting

Gwendolyn Richards, Calgary Herald

Published: Monday, January 07, 2008

The family of a man shot and killed after an apparent scuffle with an off-duty police officer in Thailand is calling on the Canadian government to pressure overseas authorities to investigate and prosecute the case fully.

Whether or not it's a foreign country, taking a life is not justified, said Del Pinto family spokesman Ross Fortune. "We believe this is a cold blood killing and we want this person brought to justice," he said Monday, as the family of Leo Del Pinto, 25, continued to try to deal with his death.

Del Pinto was shot and killed early Sunday morning as he walked home from the bar with friend Carly Reisig -- who was also shot, but survived -- in the rural town of Pai in northern Thailand.

Leo Del Pinto, 25, was shot twice early Sunday morning

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Font:****A Thai police officer has since been charged with premeditated murder in connection with Del Pinto's death.

His parents and twin older sisters, however, are questioning the validity of Thai officials working on the case and have been "aggressive" with Canadian officials to pressure the Thai government to get the straight story of how the tragedy unfolded.

No official answers to their questions have been forthcoming, Fortune said.

The family is also reeling from unconfirmed reports the police officer involved may have been out on bail for another incident.

"We obviously feel some frustration and anger with this individual if that is the case," said Fortune, who is engaged to one of Del Pinto's sisters.

Del Pinto had arrived in the country only three days before the fateful shooting and come to the rural community of Pai in northern Thailand, described as home to a mix of locals, tourists and foreign expatriates living there for the long term.

Reisig didn't see him for the first two days after he arrived, but they finally met up on Saturday night.

"I was really excited to see him because he's my best friend," Reisig told the Herald from her hospital bed in the intensive care unit at Chiangmai Ram Hospital.

The pair had known each other for about three years.

"I love him," she added, breaking down in tears.

As they walked home from the bar they talked about how different their lives have been, hers in Thailand, his in Canada.

Then, as they passed a restaurant, a man came up to her and punched Reisig in the face.

"Leo just said, 'Nobody hits her' and he pushed (the man) and he fell down. When he got back up he had a gun." Del Pinto and the man -- later determined to be an off-duty police officer -- were struggling as they both tried to gain possession of the gun.

"The man got control of the gun, pointed it at Leo and shot him in the head and chest," Reisig said.

He then turned to her.

"He pointed it directly at my heart and shot" about an inch away from her chest.

Reisig looked over and saw her friend dead on the ground, blood everywhere, then blacked out.

She woke in the hospital, choking on the blood that filled her lungs. The 24-year-old was later rushed to the hospital in Chiangmai, about four hours away, where she is now recovering.

On Monday, Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat was charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootings, but was allowed to walk free while the case is under investigation after promising not to tamper with witnesses.

He had turned himself in after what he said was an accident.

"Since he has surrendered after the shootout, we let him go free after informing him of charges of murder and attempted murder," Pai police chief Wanchai Suwanrirkate told Reuters.

Witnesses reportedly told police Dechawiwat had been asked to stop a fight between Del Pinto and Reisig.

Reisig said the pair had not been fighting.

Now, along with a painful recovery, she faces a future without her best friend and questions that have no obvious answers at this point.

"We had no weapons on us. We were just two kids walking down the road, so happy to see each other. Someone took away everything," she said.

"He said nothing. There was no reason for it."

Across the Pacific in Chilliwack, B.C., Reisig's parents are also struggling, but find themselves caught in a quagmire of questions with no one to turn to for answers.

"We haven't found out a lot of stuff yet," said Reisig's mother, Suzanne, who first learned what had happened when she got a phone call from Reisig in the hospital.

"She told me she was in the hospital and that she had been shot and that Leo had been killed," Suzanne said.

Since then, the family has received no help. They contacted the embassy in Thailand and were given a case number and also spoke with a woman at the consulate.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are aware a Canadian citizen was shot.

"Officials in Bangkok are offering consular assistance and are also in contact with local authorities," said ministry spokesman Bernard Nguyen.

But consular assistance is only offered after it has been requested, he explained.

News of the charges against the off-duty police officer involved fails to provide any of the answers the family is seeking, however.

"I want to know what happened. Why did this policeman shoot this innocent couple? They weren't arguing. Even if the were, since when does a cop just start killing people? Tourists that were minding their own business," Suzanne said.

She said the toughest part is that her daughter is so far away.

"She's in shock. This has been very traumatizing for her. She's by herself," she told the Herald.

Reisig has been in Thailand for about a year, traveling around. Originally from Chilliwack, she was living in Vancouver before she made the trip over to Asia.

She and Del Pinto met in Vancouver, Suzanne said.

While Suzanne hadn't met Del Pinto, her daughter had talked about him.

"He was just a very polite, well mannered, non confrontational.... One of the nicest people she had met."

[email protected]

© Calgary Herald 2008

[suiging]

This whole thing is so shocking it does make you feel physically ill.

In addition, the standard of journalism in Thailand is a disgrace. Follow this thread and you will see supposidly respected press sources print story after story as fact with no independant investigation whatsoever, changing their tune at a whim with no respect for the victims or any form of judicial process.............awful.

[Prakanong]

That he got bail as he turned himself in is absolutely disgusting and a shame on the country - hate to say this but its true.

I really want to aks my friends in the Bangkok office their views but will not do it by instant messenger but will wait til we are at a meeting in a few weeks time.

If its true he was out on bail for other offences as alluded to in the post above then that just compounds the matter.

Reminds me of those Royal Greenjacket soldiers in Cyprus who killed the Danish tour guide - they were on bail for glassing a guy from my home town.

[meemiathai]

This whole thing is so shocking it does make you feel physically ill.

In addition, the standard of journalism in Thailand is a disgrace. Follow this thread and you will see supposidly respected press sources print story after story as fact with no independant investigation whatsoever, changing their tune at a whim with no respect for the victims or any form of judicial process.............awful.

I think you will find HK Chinese Newspaper only just a little bit better. Have you not?

[Maxi101]

Maybe a bit confused because of shock, this lady is not ready to tell lies right now.

The more as her story sounds much more realistic.

For the .... if you don't like it then go home guys ....

Well, wellcome with Thai Visa.

Live and let live

[the gent]

Andrew Drummond is a famous sensationalist

And the basis for this pronouncement would be?

Stupid comment at best and quite insupportable.

The chap is a first rate journo and a great ally to those who have had need of his help.

In terms of credibility one can generally dispense with the salt when reading his work.

[Jai Dee]

Canadian shot to death in Thailand planned to settle there

Leo Del Pinto fell in love with Thailand after a trip to the tropical country last year.

But the friendly and easygoing Calgarian's plans to settle in a northern Thailand town ended tragically as he was shot and killed only days after arriving in the country to start his new life.

His death has devastated his family, said spokesman Rob Fortune, who is engaged to one of Del Pinto's sisters.

Del Pinto, 25, and Carly Reisig, 24, a resident of Vancouver, were both hit with bullets Sunday outside a bar in the northern town of Pai.

Del Pinto was shot twice and died instantly, while Reisig, who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, is recovering from surgery and is now in intensive care at a Thai hospital.

Meanwhile, a Thai police officer has been charged in the death.

Speaking from her hospital bed Monday, Reisig said a Thai man punched her as she and Del Pinto were returning home from a bar.

When Del Pinto defended her, Reisig said the man pulled out a gun and shot Del Pinto in the head and chest.

"There was no reason for it," she said.

When Del Pinot first travelled to Thailand earlier last year as unrest made headlines, Fortune said his parents were hesitant. But when he came back with nothing but amazing stories to share, they were relieved.

When he said he was going back, his parents were less nervous because he had already been there.

"Obviously, this is their worst nightmare coming true," Fortune said.

Del Pinto was born and raised in Calgary, the only son and youngest in the family with twin older sisters.

He was known as a very loving, kind man who cared a lot about his friends and family.

"He lived his life to the fullest. He valued friendship and trust over anything else in the world," said Fortune, who had known Del Pinto for seven years.

But he also valued music, particularly heavy metal and classic rock. His favourite rock star was Ozzy Osbourne.

His passion for music took him to Vancouver about two years ago, where he studied sound engineering at college and worked as a roadie at B.C. Place, setting up stages for some of the bigger acts as they came through the city.

But after a trip to Thailand earlier last year, he decided to take a different path.

"Thailand became the passion for his life. He loved it there," Fortune said. "He loved the lifestyle there."

Del Pinto spent the Christmas holidays with his family, then flew to Vancouver on Boxing Day before continuing on overseas, arriving in Thailand on Jan. 2.

He worked in a tattoo shop, but had aspirations to pick up more of the language and then move on to teaching English. He wanted to start a business and establish roots in the country, Fortune said.

He was just getting settled, when the walk home from the bar with Reisig turned deadly.

There are conflicting reports about what took place.

According to the Associated Press, the police officer involved in the shooting says the couple attacked him and the shooting was an accident.

According to the officer's version of events, Del Pinto and Reisig got into an argument and, when he tried to intervene, Del Pinto attempted to grab his gun and it discharged three times.

However, the police officer has been charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder in connection with the shooting.

Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat is not being held while the case is investigated.

Source: Vancouver Sun - 08 January 2008

[Maxi101]

The biggest question mark for me right now besides how this all went down at the point of shooting, is why?

Why would a drunk, off-duty cop, suddenly intervene and slap a woman, for no apparent reason.

The Thai boyfriend is an odd piece in all of this, especially since it is somewhat rare for them to be friends with ex and current lovers, and then suddenly a random shooting occurs in a small town? Bizarre, but, it is all speculation right now.

It could be that outrageous. We won't know for awhile, if we ever know.

I'm very sorry for the poor guy's death. Completely senseless.

*It's also strange that initial reports in all of the Thai press reported her pregnant, even to the point that they said her foetus was unharmed. That doesn't seem like random information, so why and where would they get that information in the first place? Very strange, and many major pieces still missing.

Well please don't jump on me, maybe some stated it before ....

why nobody ask or looks into her thai boyfriend motives.

Well thai not as tolerant with ex boyfriends as farrangs - and even there it's not the majority

[brahmburgers]

I've read many but not all of the posts. Did the Nation's Jan.8 article get posted here? - it has the woman speaking about no real argument (just a play argument, we've all had those, haven't we?) and saying she wasn't pregnant (she should know) and her Thai boyfriend was right there when all the sh!t happened. I bet the out-on-bail cop wished he had killed the girl (he sure tried, she's got a bullet lodged next to her heart) and the cop wishes he killed the Thai guy who's a witness - though the Thai guy's life is in danger now - unless he toes the cop's line of what happened - a ridiculous scenario by any measure.

Moral of story here: If you're with a girlfriend/wife walking down a street at night, and a Thai man approaches, do whatever he says, even if he's offensive and belligerent. Even if he threatens your lady with harm, don't put up any resistance, because he may be an off-duty cop with a gun. And we know all Thais, expecially cops - get offended very quickly and vehemently.

Just go along with whatever the Thai guy does, because if you don't, you could get shot point blank. And these guys don't shoot in the air (as warning) or shoot in the leg (serious threat) , they shoot to kill - head shots, heart shots.

Thai police captains throughout the country should be intensely drilling their charges to hurry up and grow up and be responsible adults. This cr@p about getting offended so intensely and immediately taking lethal action is the worst - it's 180 degrees opposed to Buddhism. This episode is a nail in the coffin of Thailand's int'l reputation.

I do hope the families get involved and do not rely on the USELESS Canadian Embassy staff in Bangkok!

Familes of young farang who get murdered dept: When the families come to Thailand, they're invariably drilled on showing the utmost respect and appreciation for the head of the local police dept. The same police dept. who sponsored the cop who murdered their child. the same police dept who bungled the investigation and whitewashed the murder and either let the murderer off completely, or (if he was incarcerated) let him out soon after.

Please do not respond to offensive posts but use the report button, thanks.

Posts have been deleted, lets try to avoid offensive, inflammatory and abusive posts.

Probably more than half of the posts here are offensive to Thailand. How can this be accepted? And most of it is just judgmental jibberish.

If a Thai say something offensive about Thailand so be it. If a Thai say something offensive about farangs, who can blame them. Have you ever seen such a high concentration of white trash anywhere else?

If a farang being a guest in Thailand say something offensive about Thailand that is so disrespectful. And why waste time writing posts here when it can be spent more wisely on buying a ticket to move somewhere else.

I am so sick of the 'farang in Thailand should be a polite and appreciative guest syndrome"

We are all residents of this planet. If someone murders me or my friend or my sibling in cold blood, I'm going to get angry and politeness will be the first thing to fly out the window. Thais in general and their cops in particular need to do some quick maturing. Their irresponsible attitudes are world renown - especially how quick they get offended (a thousand little things are offensive to Thais) and how crazed some of them get in instant retribution.

[meemiathai]

Hope his government will do something so justice can be seen.

But I have seen very little justice in my life, it is even more difficult to find than honesty.

[Maxi101]

After seeing his picture, I have to say he even doesn't look agressive.

My God, may he rest in peace.

[meemiathai]

Moral of story here: If you're with a girlfriend/wife walking down a street at night, and a Thai man approaches, do whatever he says, even if he's offensive and belligerent. Even if he threatens your lady with harm, don't put up any resistance, because he may be an off-duty cop with a gun. And we know all Thais, expecially cops - get offended very quickly and vehemently

Just try to act friendly showing that you don't want trouble and leave the scene as quickly as possible. But if it gets to a point where you can take no more, assess the situation and attack the bloody bastard all of a sudden until he no longer knows where himself is and flee. That's the way to deal with wild lives.

[Prakanong]

After seeing his picture, I have to say he even doesn't look agressive.

My God, may he rest in peace.

I agree with you.

Then again I probably do with my broken nose, shaved head etc - if anything happened to me and my pic appeared on Thai Visa I just know what the comments would be from some of the sociopaths on here

[Maxi101]

I really think the thai boyfriend might have some infos.

No reason for the freaking cop.

There is only this reason.

Would you like to walk behind your gf and her ex. (only if not to insure you catch a bullet)

Playfight, maybe he tried in a playfull way to get her back.....

OK, iam speculating....

Edited January 8, 2008 by Maxi101

[aaaaaa]

It is highly unlikely that any policeman's story in this country is believable. It is well known that in the

Thailand that the cops change the facts to fit the horsepucky.

It wouldn't suprise me if someone snuck into the hospital where the wife is and snuffed her out to keep

her from testifying to the actual facts against the cop.

well, it is not only Thai cops are such

watch this video where Russo shares his own personal experience about US cops ! "the draconian and mafia tactics of Chicago police" in 80s

"they do whatever they want to do... and there is nothing that citizen can do about it... the Supreme Court is RULED...

you have to pay them ... they can hurt you, they can put you in jail, they can torture you.... if you don't pay - you might get hurt ! the fact is - you're being FORCED, compelled to pay, because you're facing jail sentences... you're facing CORRUPTION of the courts... so, you pay just like you pay the mafia...

BUT

with the mafia at least you have the government and court to come and try to help you ...

and here there is NO ONE to protect you ! "

some other interesting things are mentioned there too - particularly about the deeper roots of all such problems, which are viewed rather like the SYMPTOMS of the actual problems, the signs on the surface only....

so, it is not at all only in Thailand happening...

Yes things happen elsewhere but this incident happened in Thailand and you are possting on www.thaivisa.com and not on chicagovisa.com

Does a heinous crime comited elsewhere that is similar to one in Thailand make it less serious?

Yes it may be symptomatic of deeper problems in Thai society but just like with Dengue we need to treat the symptoms while waiting for a cure for the deeper ills.

I have more faith in the treatment of the symptoms at the moment (even if only very slightly) than I am about seeing a cure for the deeper ills.

man, you're switching my point by attacking lesser thing... and then making some conclusions by too vast generalization!

as you can see I was talking to 'navajo' regarding some particular part of his post. and even in that, I didn't contradict him, simply more like added to what he said.

and here you twist everything upside down as if I was advocating "heinous crime" or rejected the need to "cure the symptoms".....

yes, crime MUST be punished, justice must be upheld.

BUT

we ('navajo', me and many others here) were talking about REALITY, that unfortunately most often it doesn't happen. and simply saying how bad it is (both the crime and its punishment or rather absence of any) won't simply change things !

so, as you see such attempt to "cure the symptoms" don't work much !

therefore, hold your horses, don't jump to conclusions like this - almost accusing me of lessening the seriousness of this crime. perhaps next you'll start to blame me for the crime itself?

relax dude, we're on the same side here !

[Maxi101]

I am sorry for the poor guy and his family. I just cant believe how badly the media can screw up a story . Even the Bangkok post said that she was shot in the hip when its pretty clear from the pictures that she was shot in the chest. Why would she be out drinking if she was pregnant. The coppers story stinks to high heaven. I really hope they get to the bottom of this.

"The media" can very easily screw up any story because "the media" is dependant on that most unreliable species "the journalist". Now some of these guys are tenacious investigative types who know that 50% of what they hear aint true and the other 50% are lies so they ask and ask and dig and dig. But some journos go the easy route, attend the press briefing take the printout official statement, file it with the news desk and p1ss off down the bar where they fill in the most important document of the day - the expense report.

btw do you really think that 100% of pregnant women never drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take drugs?

Easily classic, if you want to cover something up, you lay many many trails.

The bigger the ly the more believe .

maxi