Rights body asks if weapons were used against missing activist

[Lite Beer]

Rights body asks if weapons were used against missing activist
Thanatpong Kongsai,
Pathinya Srisupamatu
The Nation

Pinnapa Preuksapan, wife of a prominent Karen activist who disappeared on April 17, visits the National Police headquarters in Bangkok yesterday along with her four children to seek updates on the ongoing investigation.

BANGKOK: -- The National Human Rights Commission has called on the police to find out if Kaeng Krachan National Park officials used any weapons against an activist, who has been missing since April 17.

Dr Nirand Pitakwatchara, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission's Civil and Political Rights panel, yesterday met relevant agencies including officers from Kaeng Krachan Police Station and Phetchaburi provincial officials to seek details that might be linked to the disappearance of Karen activist Por Cha Lee "Billy" Rakchong-charoen.

Billy, 31, disappeared shortly after Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn reportedly questioned him about the wild-bee honey he had in his possession.

During the two-hour-long meeting, several members of the panel wanted to know if the Kaeng Krachan park officials used weapons while questioning Billy.

The panel also called on the police to find Billy's motorcycle, which might prove to be key evidence on his disappearance.

Nirand also pointed out that Billy was known to have had conflicts with several other people locally, though most foreign agencies seem to be focusing on problems he might have had with state agencies.

"We want police to enforce the law with fairness," he said, adding that he hoped National Police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew would order an investigation into Billy's disappearance as soon as possible.

However, Nirand did not call on Chaiwat to provide details possibly related to Billy's disappearance, as he did not consider the park chief a plaintiff in this case.

Kaeng Krachan Police Station superintendent Woradej Suanklai said his team would look for more evidence in relation to the case.

"We will find out why Chaiwat released Billy at the location he disappeared from," he said.

In a related development, Karen Federation of Thailand president Sorasak Senapairoh said his organisation has given state agencies two weeks to investigate Billy's disappearance, and if no progress is made, he will rely on other measures to pressure state agencies.

He also plans to hold a concert to raise funds to support Billy's wife and to launch a massive campaign to find the activist

-- The Nation 2014-04-26

[jaidam]

Add him to the list. Somchai, Ekkayuth, Billy. All people that knew embarrassing truths about the PTP elite and their establishment, all vanished, all murdered. Probably just a coincidence, right?

[boomerangutang]

However, Nirand did not call on Chaiwat to provide details possibly related to Billy's disappearance, as he did not consider the park chief a plaintiff in this case.

In some countries, investigators might say 'we will leave no stone unturned'

In Thailand, there are many stones which can't be turned.

This case stinks. I looks as though local cops and investigators cannot do a remotely objective or adept investigation. Either get a Karen fact-finding group, or a group of farang professionals, or Pornthip, ....but let's hope they'll find this man alive and/or find out what really happened. The photos of his wife and kids are wrenching.

[smutcakes]

From my understanding they have not located him yet, how in the world would they know if a weapon was used?

[NongKhaiKid]

From my understanding they have not located him yet, how in the world would they know if a weapon was used?

TIT

[Tatsujin]

From my understanding they have not located him yet, how in the world would they know if a weapon was used?

Kaeng Krachan park officials questioned him, so all they need to do is talk to those officials . . . assuming they tell the truth of course. Which is a stretch.

[boomerangutang]

It could be that both the body and the motorbike are buried. Are authorities combing the area? About as likely as authorities asking tough questions to police and demanding the truth be told.

If I was the top banana in the investigation, I would line all the cops up, including their bosses, and have then stand at attention. I would forcefully tell them: "If those who know what happened, come forth and tell me, I will halve your sentences. If you don't tell me now, then you're going to make more work for me and my investigators. We're going to find out what happened, and if any of you are found guilty of murder or conspiracy or cover-up, you will do maximum penalty. The choice is clear: 'fess up now and get half penalty - or get proven guilty and get full penalty."

[cheeryble]

"We will find out why Chaiwat released Billy at the location he disappeared from".

What does THAT mean?

He was taken somewhere?

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[soalbundy]

From my understanding they have not located him yet, how in the world would they know if a weapon was used?

You're right of course,he could have been strangled,drowned or kicked to death. Since this is wild west Thailand i think we can assume he is dead,much to the sorrow of certain loyal Thai civil servants

[soalbundy]

It could be that both the body and the motorbike are buried. Are authorities combing the area? About as likely as authorities asking tough questions to police and demanding the truth be told.

If I was the top banana in the investigation, I would line all the cops up, including their bosses, and have then stand at attention. I would forcefully tell them: "If those who know what happened, come forth and tell me, I will halve your sentences. If you don't tell me now, then you're going to make more work for me and my investigators. We're going to find out what happened, and if any of you are found guilty of murder or conspiracy or cover-up, you will do maximum penalty. The choice is clear: 'fess up now and get half penalty - or get proven guilty and get full penalty."

After he had finished we would hear the sound of suppressed snigger's. The top banana would turn to his aid's and whisper did that sound impressive enough, as if i want a successful closure ?

[Wombat6]

From my understanding they have not located him yet, how in the world would they know if a weapon was used?

Kaeng Krachan park officials questioned him, so all they need to do is talk to those officials . . . assuming they tell the truth of course. Which is a stretch.

A lie Detecter would come in handy.

[Loles]

Wowwww ....

facts:

- this man won't appear alive at all,

- his body will be found cause the murderers make mistake always,

- "of course" the police and other authorities are not involved.

[siampolee]

boomerangutang post # 3

In some countries, investigators might say 'we will leave no stone unturned'

In Thailand, there are many stones which can't be turned.

Indeed so true if those stones were turned many of the so called politicians and state officials police, military etc would have no home left to crawl back under to.

[khunken]

There are so many dangerous occupations in Thailand but, percentage of death wise, an activist has to be at the top of the list.

I hope but doubt that he is still alive. Park chiefs are 'influential' enough to stymie any possible police investigation and have an ex park chief in the current caretaker government for added protection. It's not looking good.

[devaram]

Add him to the list. Somchai, Ekkayuth, Billy. All people that knew embarrassing truths about the PTP elite and their establishment, all vanished, all murdered. Probably just a coincidence, right?

What makes you think its pua thai and not royalist elete?

Any proof?

Was the supervisor of that park in question installed by pua thai?

Just wondering.

[boomerangutang]

There are so many dangerous occupations in Thailand but, percentage of death wise, an activist has to be at the top of the list.

I hope but doubt that he is still alive. Park chiefs are 'influential' enough to stymie any possible police investigation and have an ex park chief in the current caretaker government for added protection. It's not looking good.

You're right. About 4 years ago, the Nation articulated 19 environmental activists who had recently been killed, in Thailand, under very suspicious circumstances. It is, indeed, one of the most dangerous things a person can do in Thailand: speak out in favor of environmental protection. #1 reason: there are always commercial interests who's toes get stepped on. In Thailand, when commercial interests get pitted against environmental interests, money wins every time. Why is there no decent-sized parks in Bangkok (Lumpini is puny)? Why are there no parks bigger than a postage stamp in any Thai cities and towns? Why are there no large national parks in Thailand? Why are Thailand's coasts degraded, and each stretch of beach trashed? Reason: Money Rules. No dugongs, No tigers, No leopards, no one-horned rhino, no tapirs, no sea turtles, no river dolphins. Little by little, Thailand's natural heritage is being whittled away. In its place are townhouses, rice paddies and malls.

[stickylies]

you karen = you not full fledged thai = shut the f--ck up.

[stickylies]

There are so many dangerous occupations in Thailand but, percentage of death wise, an activist has to be at the top of the list.

I hope but doubt that he is still alive. Park chiefs are 'influential' enough to stymie any possible police investigation and have an ex park chief in the current caretaker government for added protection. It's not looking good.

You're right. About 4 years ago, the Nation articulated 19 environmental activists who had recently been killed, in Thailand, under very suspicious circumstances. It is, indeed, one of the most dangerous things a person can do in Thailand: speak out in favor of environmental protection. #1 reason: there are always commercial interests who's toes get stepped on. In Thailand, when commercial interests get pitted against environmental interests, money wins every time. Why is there no decent-sized parks in Bangkok (Lumpini is puny)? Why are there no parks bigger than a postage stamp in any Thai cities and towns? Why are there no large national parks in Thailand? Why are Thailand's coasts degraded, and each stretch of beach trashed? Reason: Money Rules. No dugongs, No tigers, No leopards, no one-horned rhino, no tapirs, no sea turtles, no river dolphins. Little by little, Thailand's natural heritage is being whittled away. In its place are townhouses, rice paddies and malls.

i fully agree with you BUT we in the west ruined everything too several decades ago. we also chopped our woods and killed wolves and lynxes, etc. people are shit.

there are a couple of large national parks in thailand but nearly all national parks were FIRST raped to the bone and then got the status of national park.....

[IBoldnewguy]

From my understanding they have not located him yet, how in the world would they know if a weapon was used?

Because the human mind is wired to find a cause for every unknown - under every stone is a conspiracy and if there is nothing under the stone then the conspiracy must have been moved. Jumping to conclusions only proves that one can jump - it does not prove the conclusion correct. Need more....

[QualityTouristNumberOne]

Jaysus...

I can feel nothing but sympathy and gut wrenching pain for this poor man and his family,

I can literally feel this man's pain,having caught the butt of an FN Rifle wielded by a Para(ps I'm not saying all para's are bad,it was just a bad time for all involved),

when I was 14,for asking why they were kicking and punching my father while questioning him after carrying out a controlled explosion on his car in Antrim in Northern Ireland when I was a young kid(he was a salesman for a stationery company at the time).

I've never forgotten the fear I felt as I thought we were both going to be shot and buried in a field.

Ironically,we were pulled over by an IRA checkpoint the next day to be questioned as to why we were...talking to the enemy!

and after they verified my Da's story they tried to recruit me!(obviously I said no!).

I honestly don't know which scared me more-the Para's or the Tiochfaidh's(short for Tiochfaidh ar La,which mean's "our day will come,and a common nickname for the IRA at the time),as tensions were high at the time as both the combatant's had recently suffered losses.