Student Victim's Family Gets 2,000 Baht

[george]

Student victim's family gets 2,000 baht

BANGKOK: -- Authorities have given 2,000 baht and condolences to the family of a Ramkhamhaeng University pushed to his death in a scuffle with school bullies just as he was preparing to graduate.

Radio Thailand reported the body of the student, who was assaulted and then pushed into the path of an oncoming car last week, has been sent back to his home in Surin province.

Surin Governor Somphong Anuyutthaphong ordered the Social Development and Human Security office in the province to present initial assistance money of 2,000 baht to the victim's family, and also expressed his condolences, said the report.

Eknarin Sarati, 20, was finishing his senior year as a mass communications major at the university's Faculty of Humanities. His parents were driving to Bangkok to attend his graduation at the time he was assaulted.

They said Eknarin was the first child of their family to receive a university degree.

--Bangkok Post 2006-01-15

[phuketsiam]

2000 baht eh, that will help ease the pain

[Heng]

Yeah, the article also didn't mention that the victim was drunk as well and may have iniated the confrontation.

[marshbags]

Surin Governor Somphong Anuyutthaphong ordered the Social Development and Human Security office in the province to present initial assistance money of 2,000 baht to the victim's family, and also expressed his condolences, said the report.

2000 baht eh, that will help ease the pain

To go through the traumatic experience they have just had is beyond my imagination.

Only to be followed be another stab in the heart.

This official must really be sick to even make this offer and and have the sensitivity of a moron.

He should at the very least have offered every assistance financially to cover all costs.

At the same time assured them the thugs guilty of this crime will be brought to justice.

This is a sad case of lip-service from an ignorant official who obviously doesn,t care.

How much better if the official had dipped into there own resources and made the offer respectable and it,s feelings sincere.

I would only hope they have been mis quoted.

How tragic this murder is.. and that,s what it is no matter what the alledged circumstances are.

marshbags

Edited January 15, 2006 by marshbags

[huski]

Yeah, the article also didn't mention that the victim was drunk as well and may have iniated the confrontation.

and your source is?

[phuketsiam]

I think if he's drunk and was at fault they should get nothing, either way I don't see the point of 2000 baht, its neither here nor there, an insult if anything, bit like giving a 1baht tip at restaurant

[snoophound]

and if he was one of your kids heng?

I am sure many of us were a holes at school,uni too.

2000 baht?

Yeah, the article also didn't mention that the victim was drunk as well and may have iniated the confrontation.

[Thaipwriter]

Student victim's family gets 2,000 baht

present initial assistance money

--Bangkok Post 2006-01-15

I think the keyword here is initial.

It looks as though the 2000 baht is an interim payment, perhaps a just and proper figure will be assigned later.

I think it makes no difference as to whether he was drunk or not or whether he provoked the incident. This is a manslaughter case, manslaughter charges should still apply to the killers of drunk people!

[Greer]

I agree that it is completely irrelevant if the kid was drunk or not, and in fact bringing that up as justification for his family being given nothing, is an insult to humanity.

2000 baht is also an insult, even if it was an "initial" payment - this is disgusting!

Would you accept this as an initial compensation for the loss of your child?

This defies belief.

[frodo]

Sorry to disagree with you, Heng, but from both articles I had read in both the Nation and Bangkok Post the young man did not appear to be drinking. On all accounts thus far, those who savagely, cowardly and in absolute disgrace to themselves and the good people of Thailand were drunk and initiated this fight. Why? According to various witnesses, the youngster was removing his shoes to enter his girlfriends home when some drunk youths stumbled over the him. The drunk youths couldn't let it go, even though it was their fault for stumbling while drunk and from the reports, followed him outside where they visciously beat him, threatned to kill anyone with a brandished gun who dared intervene, then as the cowards they were, threw the young man in front of moving vehicles, killing him. I can only hope they catch these idiots and allow them to suffer and rot for the rest of their life. Death is far to good for them. If there are other versions to this story, I still stand by my words. Many have said that life is cheap here, but 2,000 baht is the ultimate insult for this poor family. This really breaks my heart.

Source: Student killed hours before graduation

Nation: Graduate killed in scuffle with drunks

Nation Article:

Graduate killed in scuffle with drunks

Published on Jan 14, 2006

During a scuffle with drunken men, one of whom was brandishing a handgun, a fresh graduate of Ramkhamhaeng University was pushed onto a road and knocked down by an oncoming car on Thursday night.

Eknarin Sarati, 29, died of injuries in hospital yesterday, the day he was supposed to attend his graduation ceremony.

Ramkhamhaeng Hospital alerted police after Eknarin had succumbed to his injuries at around 1.30am yesterday.

“We are going after his attackers,” said Lt-Colonel Porn Julanipat, an on-duty inspector at Hua Mark Police Station. An arrest warrant has been issued for one of the suspects, known only by his first name Uten, he added.

Eknarin’s parents, who had just arrived in Bangkok from Surin to attend their son’s graduation ceremony, said the young man had been the first member of this farming family to receive a university education.

Kampee, his mother, fainted on hearing the news of her son’s death. “My son was a good man. He never hurt anyone,” she sobbed.

Sukij Sarati, the victim’s younger brother, said that earlier in the day Eknarin had paid a visit to his girlfriend and another friend at Issara Mansion. When Eknarin was about to remove his shoes outside his girlfriend’s room, some drunks stumbled over him.

“They started telling my brother off. He protested, and his friend came out of his apartment and tried to calm things down,” Sukij said.

Yet when Sukij, Eknarin, and his brother’s girlfriend later started walking down Ramkhamhaeng Road, the three drunken men accosted them again. The girlfriend flagged a taxi and jumped in, but the three men beat Eknarin before he too could seek refuge in the cab.

“One of the men hit my brother on the head with a gun, and the two others lunged at him. I tried to help, but the gun-wielding man shoved me aside,” Sukij said.

During the scuffle Eknarin was pushed out onto the road, where a passing car ran him over. His three attackers and the car’s driver fled the scene immediately.

Maj-General Wittaya Kosiyasathit, commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau I, said the attackers face charges of assault and manslaughter. He issued a public call to the driver of the car that struck Eknarin to contact police. “Witnesses remember the car’s licence plate. Please come forward. We know it was an accident and will ensure justice,” he said

Bangkok Post

JEERASAK LAKMUANG

The Sarakham family chartered a pick-up truck from Surin to watch their son receive a degree yesterday. However, instead of their son's college degree, the Sarakhams will have to take home his body on what would have been their proudest day.

Ekkarin Sarakham, 26, was assaulted by teenagers early yesterday morning, just hours before the ceremony at Ramkhamhaeng University. The humanities graduate was shoved off the pavement in Bang Kapi during a scuffle and hit by a passing car. He died in hospital.

Sukij Sarakham, 22, the victim's brother, said he, Ekkarin, and Ekkarin's girlfriend had just avoided a brawl with a group of teenagers when they ran into three youths in front of Ramkhamhaeng soi 42.

The youths, armed with a gun, singled out Ekkarin. They pulled him away, smacked him in the head with the pistol and shoved him around. ''The next thing was, he was on the road. I tried to get to him, but one of them threatened me with the gun. Then a car came from nowhere and hit him,'' he said.

Minutes before the assault, Mr Sukij and Ekkarin went to Issara Mansion, an apartment block where Ekkarin's girlfriend was staying. Mr Sukij said five teenagers who lived next door were drinking when he and his brother arrived. One of the youths tried to pick a fight. He said his brother decided to leave to avoid trouble, only to run into the other group.

Pol Maj-Gen Wittaya Kosiyasathit, chief of Metropolitan Police Division 4, said a warrant was out for the arrest of a Ramkhamhaeng University student for assaulting Ekkarin and causing his death. The suspect is identified only as Uthane, aged about 25. Police investigators are gathering evidence against the two other suspects and looking for a taxi driver who might have witnessed the incident.

Riab Sarakham, the victim's father, said: ''We were on our way, in Saraburi, when we learned about the attack. I didn't know if he was dead then, but really had a bad feeling about it.''

Ekkarin's body will be taken to Surin for funeral rites and a bathing ceremony in which he will be dressed in a graduation gown.

''We rarely saw each other. I came here to congratulate him on his success and take his college degree home. How could a joyful day turn out to be such a disaster?'' he said.

Ekkarin completed his education six months ago and joined PTT Plc, where he worked as a public relations officer. Mr Riab said he was the only one in the family with a college education.

Edited January 15, 2006 by frodo

[Heng]

I didn't say he deserved it. I noted that the victim was out celebrating/ drinking and stumbled across a drinking circle was omitted from the article. True, whether stumbling across a drinking circle is initiating an incident is subjective.... but I think we all know that sometimes even extended eye contact is enough to 'get it started.'

My source was Khun Sorayuth's and Orn Preeya's morning news/review show of the daily newspapers.

note: the account I heard was that the victim stumbled across a group of 5 youths drinking in front of the apartment building, not the other way around (and as reported in the above articles).

Edited January 15, 2006 by Heng

[chownah]

What's wrong with giving the family 2000 baht? I don't think its an insult. 2000 baht is half a months wages. Its not alot but then this isn't the proceeds of an insurance policy...its just something so that if a family has no money they can make some kind of emergency arrangements. I believe that in the US there is a social security benefit that is paid immediately...it is a fixed sum...I don't know how much it is but my memory is that its not alot but it is made available immediately so that the family has some funds even if they are destitute...seems like this is the same thing....and in the US a student's family wouldn't receive anything....unless the student had also worked enought to qualify for the benefit...a very unlikely scenerio.....seems like the 2000 baht as a initial benefit for a student is better than what you'd get in the US.

[Patex]

What's wrong with giving the family 2000 baht? I don't think its an insult. 2000 baht is half a months wages. Its not alot but then this isn't the proceeds of an insurance policy...its just something so that if a family has no money they can make some kind of emergency arrangements. I believe that in the US there is a social security benefit that is paid immediately...it is a fixed sum...I don't know how much it is but my memory is that its not alot but it is made available immediately so that the family has some funds even if they are destitute...seems like this is the same thing....and in the US a student's family wouldn't receive anything....unless the student had also worked enought to qualify for the benefit...a very unlikely scenerio.....seems like the 2000 baht as a initial benefit for a student is better than what you'd get in the US.

Wow, you are really smart

[marshbags]

Sorry to disagree with you, Heng, but from both articles I had read in both the Nation and Bangkok Post the young man did not appear to be drinking. On all accounts thus far, those who savagely, cowardly and in absolute disgrace to themselves and the good people of Thailand were drunk and initiated this fight. Why? According to various witnesses, the youngster was removing his shoes to enter his girlfriends home when some drunk youths stumbled over the him. The drunk youths couldn't let it go, even though it was their fault for stumbling while drunk and from the reports, followed him outside where they visciously beat him, threatned to kill anyone with a brandished gun who dared intervene, then as the cowards they were, threw the young man in front of moving vehicles, killing him. I can only hope they catch these idiots and allow them to suffer and rot for the rest of their life. Death is far to good for them. If there are other versions to this story, I still stand by my words. Many have said that life is cheap here, but 2,000 baht is the ultimate insult for this poor family. This really breaks my heart.

Well said 100%

marshbags

[thaivisitor]

Different perspectives with regards to 2000 Baht.

Firstly in such a case, there is no necessity for any authorities to even give any money as this is not a case which involves compensation from them.

Secondly, the 2000 Baht is a gesture from the province where the student lived, not from Bangkok or the uni. Whose to say its too little or an insult? Do you know how people are there in Surin province and if they were to give everyone who dies 2000 Baht?

Anyone feeling they could do better can always send whatever money to the family thru the newspaper. Might even give you a bit of a profile if you contribute more than 2000 Baht.

Edited January 16, 2006 by thaivisitor

[Patex]

...Do you know how people are there in Surin province and if they were to give everyone who dies 2000 Baht?...

2000฿?? I think the victim's monthly rent for his room in BKK is above this .

My M-i-l out there in Buriram pays for every deathcase in her village about 200฿, when she is going to die we will get about 80 000฿ from the villagecommunity... keep your 2000 and buy your children some sweeties.

[phuketsiam]

Just to clarify, I didn't say if he was drunk they should get nothing, I said if he was drunk and at fault they should get nothing, its quite different.

Either way 2000 baht is an insult, if its 1/2 a monthly (minimum) wage then than it equates to about 400 quid in the UK, thats still a joke, regardless of whats its for.

The amount even as an interim payment is patronising and an insult IMO

[marshbags]

Different perspectives with regards to 2000 Baht.

Firstly in such a case, there is no necessity for any authorities to even give any money as this is not a case which involves compensation from them.

Secondly, the 2000 Baht is a gesture from the province where the student lived, not from Bangkok or the uni. Whose to say its too little or an insult? Do you know how people are there in Surin province and if they were to give everyone who dies 2000 Baht?

Anyone feeling they could do better can always send whatever money to the family thru the newspaper. Might even give you a bit of a profile if you contribute more than 2000 Baht.

Re the last observation, it,s sarcasmn of the worst kind.

No doubt about it, the local Moo Ban will show the generousity and compassion this sad official didn,t have a clue about.

Let us get this clear thaivisitor.

This student didn,t just die of old age and the authorities would have been better served if they had kept the initial offer in their pocket instead of treating the family in such a condescending manner.

It could be they thought they would get some publicity from what they thought was a generous contribution.

( like hel_l it is )

Well surprise surprise it,s done the opposite, ( i,ll bet they,ll now say they where mis quoted. )

Now tell me, what would you do with such an offer had it been your son or any member of your family had been killed in this manner.

I do know in the u.k. the offer would have caused anger, big time and made headlines of a very desparaging manner.

We are talking respect here and there can only be one line of thought that is just and humane,

I,m afraid from where i,m coming from your way off line with your perspective.

marshbags

[frodo]

Agree with you Marshbags on this one. When I had read thaivisitors post ealrier today, I was disappointed that someone could actually make such a statement as that. All more the reason that I choose to rarely know or hang out with other foreigners here.

To me the value of a youngs man life who making something for himself and his family is worth more than what was given. 2,000baht which is less than 50USD right now. As much as I do love living here in Thailand, it does every so often bother me when I see things such as this happening, yet very little will be done, if anything. Sure, an authority may go through the complimentary motions but I have to wonder what, if anything will actually be done. He wasn't a tourist (no offense intended), he wasn't from a rich family, just a young man trying to better himself. It was just a waste of a life for no valid reason at all.

Heng, if I seemed a little harsh to you, I apologize for that. I didn't mean to write that you had thought he deserved it. Having lived near that university for a few years, having known a good number students (one who is my roommate) from Ramkamhaeng, it made me think about many of their backgrounds and stories which are similar to the deceased. All have been excellent people to know and the realization it could have been any of them left me with a rather empty feeling.

If I decide to ever give money to a family to assist, trust me thaivisitor, nobody will ever know. That's not what giving and helping is about. If it's not from the heart and in the "true" sense of giving, then it was never true help or giving in the first place.

[thaivisitor]

...Do you know how people are there in Surin province and if they were to give everyone who dies 2000 Baht?...

2000฿?? I think the victim's monthly rent for his room in BKK is above this .

My M-i-l out there in Buriram pays for every deathcase in her village about 200฿, when she is going to die we will get about 80 000฿ from the villagecommunity... keep your 2000 and buy your children some sweeties.

Every village does that - giving 200 Baht and some rice. It's some form of like an insurance. How much one's get on death depends on how many families there are in the village.

[kat]

Thanks for your comments, frodo. I have to agree with you, and yes, this is a heartbreaking story.

I also was taken aback by this description in the first article:

"Yet when Sukij, Eknarin, and his brother’s girlfriend later started walking down Ramkhamhaeng Road, the three drunken men accosted them again. The girlfriend flagged a taxi and jumped in, but the three men beat Eknarin before he too could seek refuge in the cab."

Wow. Nice girlfriend.

[thaivisitor]

Different perspectives with regards to 2000 Baht.

Firstly in such a case, there is no necessity for any authorities to even give any money as this is not a case which involves compensation from them.

Secondly, the 2000 Baht is a gesture from the province where the student lived, not from Bangkok or the uni. Whose to say its too little or an insult? Do you know how people are there in Surin province and if they were to give everyone who dies 2000 Baht?

Anyone feeling they could do better can always send whatever money to the family thru the newspaper. Might even give you a bit of a profile if you contribute more than 2000 Baht.

Re the last observation, it,s sarcasmn of the worst kind.

No doubt about it, the local Moo Ban will show the generousity and compassion this sad official didn,t have a clue about.

Let us get this clear thaivisitor.

This student didn,t just die of old age and the authorities would have been better served if they had kept the initial offer in their pocket instead of treating the family in such a condescending manner.

It could be they thought they would get some publicity from what they thought was a generous contribution.

( like hel_l it is )

Well surprise surprise it,s done the opposite, ( i,ll bet they,ll now say they where mis quoted. )

Now tell me, what would you do with such an offer had it been your son or any member of your family had been killed in this manner.

I do know in the u.k. the offer would have caused anger, big time and made headlines of a very desparaging manner.

We are talking respect here and there can only be one line of thought that is just and humane,

I,m afraid from where i,m coming from your way off line with your perspective.

marshbags

kekekekekekeke, relaxxxxx....

OK, OK, I take back my statement on the last observation with relations to asking others to contribute more than 2000 Baht.

Allow me to enlighten you about the local Moo Ban "generosity". This 200 Baht is a MUST from every family in the village concern. We're talking about those involved with the program. Just like when I pay me insurance premiums, the deceased gets to have the money first, not because I'm generous.

By the way, I'm not saying that they give the money unwillingly, though but try to see a few deaths in a month and you'll see some complaining that they have to "spend" a lot of money that month.

Also, let's get this clear too. The student's death has got nothing to do with the authorities of Surin. Whether its 2000 baht or 2 million baht is not for you and I to say its an insult as you do not know the system in the village. How do you know whether the family of the deceased is grateful or not for this amount?

As for me, what ever amount given for the demised of a family member, be it from an individual or a corportation, or even from the authorities, I'll say thank you. But of course I'll push for the death penalty for the 4 or 5 responsible for it.

Well, in UK, the offer would have caused anger which must be why the Wales authorities would rather not give anything for Katherine Horton.(I didn't read anywhere to say she was)

You are not talking about respect. In fact you do not actually know what you are talking about. You are just using your feelings, as in many here who posts. (I'll address them on a post by post basis as I deemed fit )

No, I don't think I'm way off from my perspective. And I state it again. The death of the student has got nothing to do with the Surin Authorities and the Surin Authorities do not even need to compensate a single baht but they were kind enough to contribute 2000 Baht.

Edited January 16, 2006 by thaivisitor

[Greer]

Hi Kat, I think it may simply be that he let her jump in first - I think it would be the sort of thing many guys would do if they felt that they and their girlfriend were at risk.

I don't think anyone would blame her for that, and yes, you are absolutely right that this is a heartbreaking story. I guess I don't really think you meant it the way it sounded.

I am sure we all wish his family strength and send our heartfelt condolences at this awful time.

Thaivisitor, I think the point most take umbridge at is that if they are going to give, then at least don't make the amount such an insult. Certainly they probably do not need to give anything, but it's the same as giving a feeble "tip" for some service - it is seen not as being better than nothing, but as being a sarcastic or nasty comment on the person offering the service.

This is also seen that same way - giving a feeble amount like that is condescending and shows no respect for the family of the victim or for the victim himself, this may be the cynical view, but there it is.

Edited January 16, 2006 by Greer

[blabbel]

I'll have to agree with Thaivisitor here. There is no obligation from Surin officials to give any help whatsoever, why is it an insult to show concern and give whatever amount? :D

Had he simply ignored this tragic incident, none of you would accuse the guy of an "insult"!

Funny old world, isn't it? :D

[thaivisitor]

Agree with you Marshbags on this one. When I had read thaivisitors post ealrier today, I was disappointed that someone could actually make such a statement as that. All more the reason that I choose to rarely know or hang out with other foreigners here.

To me the value of a youngs man life who making something for himself and his family is worth more than what was given. 2,000baht which is less than 50USD right now. As much as I do love living here in Thailand, it does every so often bother me when I see things such as this happening, yet very little will be done, if anything. Sure, an authority may go through the complimentary motions but I have to wonder what, if anything will actually be done. He wasn't a tourist (no offense intended), he wasn't from a rich family, just a young man trying to better himself. It was just a waste of a life for no valid reason at all.

Heng, if I seemed a little harsh to you, I apologize for that. I didn't mean to write that you had thought he deserved it. Having lived near that university for a few years, having known a good number students (one who is my roommate) from Ramkamhaeng, it made me think about many of their backgrounds and stories which are similar to the deceased. All have been excellent people to know and the realization it could have been any of them left me with a rather empty feeling.

If I decide to ever give money to a family to assist, trust me thaivisitor, nobody will ever know. That's not what giving and helping is about. If it's not from the heart and in the "true" sense of giving, then it was never true help or giving in the first place.

Fredo, if its my last statement that you're refering to, I apologise for that. I agree that was a little below the belt, uncalled for.

But I don't think its fair to use foreign currency (or standard of living) to peg on the baht to say what is fair or unfair. If you were earning $3000 to $4000 baht and receives $2000, is that considered small to you? Maybe it is, I don't know. I don't think I want to elaborate on this "amount" they way foreigners look at as I'm sure many will be offended.

Maybe you could also give me an insight to what will be done if such things were to happen in your country? I mean, since you say little is done here.

[Patex]

But I don't think its fair to use foreign currency (or standard of living) to peg on the baht to say what is fair or unfair. If you were earning $3000 to $4000 baht and receives $2000, is that considered small to you? Maybe it is, I don't know. I don't think I want to elaborate on this "amount" they way foreigners look at as I'm sure many will be offended.

thaivisitor,

as I said, 2000฿ would not cover the monthly rent for the vitims room in BKK .

The tennisplayer Paradon donated after the Tsunami 20 000฿ and he also thought this could gain him "Face"

Patex

[thaivisitor]

But I don't think its fair to use foreign currency (or standard of living) to peg on the baht to say what is fair or unfair. If you were earning $3000 to $4000 baht and receives $2000, is that considered small to you? Maybe it is, I don't know. I don't think I want to elaborate on this "amount" they way foreigners look at as I'm sure many will be offended.

thaivisitor,

as I said, 2000฿ would not cover the monthly rent for the vitims room in BKK

Patex

Yes I know that. But funny no one thought of it when they booked a hooker and tries to get her overnight rates to lower than 2000 baht saying "phaang, phaang". Probably hookers back home costs much lower???

Wondered why the hookers didn't tell them to keep their 2000 baht and buy their kids sweeties

Edited January 17, 2006 by thaivisitor

[Patex]

But I don't think its fair to use foreign currency (or standard of living) to peg on the baht to say what is fair or unfair. If you were earning $3000 to $4000 baht and receives $2000, is that considered small to you? Maybe it is, I don't know. I don't think I want to elaborate on this "amount" they way foreigners look at as I'm sure many will be offended.

thaivisitor,

as I said, 2000฿ would not cover the monthly rent for the vitims room in BKK

Patex

Yes I know that. But funny no one thought of it when they booked a hooker and tries to get her overnight rates to lower than 2000 baht saying "phaang, phaang". Probably hookers back home costs much lower???

Wondered why the hookers didn't tell them to keep their 2000 baht and buy their kids sweeties

??

[chownah]

But I don't think its fair to use foreign currency (or standard of living) to peg on the baht to say what is fair or unfair. If you were earning $3000 to $4000 baht and receives $2000, is that considered small to you? Maybe it is, I don't know. I don't think I want to elaborate on this "amount" they way foreigners look at as I'm sure many will be offended.

thaivisitor,

as I said, 2000฿ would not cover the monthly rent for the vitims room in BKK

Patex

Yes I know that. But funny no one thought of it when they booked a hooker and tries to get her overnight rates to lower than 2000 baht saying "phaang, phaang". Probably hookers back home costs much lower???

Wondered why the hookers didn't tell them to keep their 2000 baht and buy their kids sweeties

??

Actually, in my experience students usually share a room and they end up paying about 500 baht per month or there abouts.

[thaivisitor]

But I don't think its fair to use foreign currency (or standard of living) to peg on the baht to say what is fair or unfair. If you were earning $3000 to $4000 baht and receives $2000, is that considered small to you? Maybe it is, I don't know. I don't think I want to elaborate on this "amount" they way foreigners look at as I'm sure many will be offended.

thaivisitor,

as I said, 2000฿ would not cover the monthly rent for the vitims room in BKK

Patex

Yes I know that. But funny no one thought of it when they booked a hooker and tries to get her overnight rates to lower than 2000 baht saying "phaang, phaang". Probably hookers back home costs much lower???

Wondered why the hookers didn't tell them to keep their 2000 baht and buy their kids sweeties

??

My point is I find it very ironical that foreigners were to comment 2000 baht is "peanuts" when the money doesn't comes out of their pockets.