Second Thai suspect retracts confession in train murder case of 13-year-old girl

[lostsoul49]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Must thank you for that post, its great to have someone posting on here who knows exactly what happens and how it happens.

Saves reading through screeds of silly theory and at the end still being none the wiser.

Keep up the good work.

But his post is all based on nothing but 'theory'.

Was he in the room at the time of interrogation?.... Of course not.

If anything I think he ought to pick up a pen and become a fiction writer.

This kid has obviously consulted a lawyer who has told him he has two choices.

Stick with his confession and possibly only do 10 years and come out a marked man, or take a risk and deny involvement and claim he was intimidated by interrogators which could see him freed and not be a marked man.

The kid made his choice and is going for the latter. It is as simple as that.

[WitawatWatawit]

Anyone else recall this? Maybe about 10 years ago a rights group (Amnesty???) came out and said up to 50% of inmates in Thai prisons were innocent. Can't remember anything else, and not sure where to check.

[sustento]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Must thank you for that post, its great to have someone posting on here who knows exactly what happens and how it happens.

Saves reading through screeds of silly theory and at the end still being none the wiser.

Keep up the good work.

But his post is all based on nothing but 'theory'.

Here's some more 'theories'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_confession

[Card]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Must thank you for that post, its great to have someone posting on here who knows exactly what happens and how it happens.

Saves reading through screeds of silly theory and at the end still being none the wiser.

Keep up the good work.

But his post is all based on nothing but 'theory'.

Was he in the room at the time of interrogation?.... Of course not.

If anything I think he ought to pick up a pen and become a fiction writer.

This kid has obviously consulted a lawyer who has told him he has two choices.

Stick with his confession and possibly only do 10 years and come out a marked man, or take a risk and deny involvement and claim he was intimidated by interrogators which could see him freed and not be a marked man.

The kid made his choice and is going for the latter. It is as simple as that.

OMG, and you talk about fiction!

I doubt the guy even has a lawyer and certainly not one that was present when he was being 'questioned'!

Edited July 16, 2014 by Card

[Thai at Heart]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Must thank you for that post, its great to have someone posting on here who knows exactly what happens and how it happens.

Saves reading through screeds of silly theory and at the end still being none the wiser.

Keep up the good work.

But his post is all based on nothing but 'theory'.

Was he in the room at the time of interrogation?.... Of course not.

If anything I think he ought to pick up a pen and become a fiction writer.

This kid has obviously consulted a lawyer who has told him he has two choices.

Stick with his confession and possibly only do 10 years and come out a marked man, or take a risk and deny involvement and claim he was intimidated by interrogators which could see him freed and not be a marked man.

The kid made his choice and is going for the latter. It is as simple as that.

I always get ready for a good giggle when someone says "obviously" something has happened in Thailand.

I mean every day, you open up the Nation or the Bangkok post to be greeted by the most ridiculous headlines, that believing anything happened for an obvious reason just lines you up for ridicule.

I mean obviously, he could also have had a premonition in his sleep from his great Uncle who had consulted a monk in the local wat telling him to retract his confession.

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/02/06/60-thai-superstitious-dos-and-donts-your-convenience

35. Putting a ring on the middle or ring finger of your right hand will compliment your wealth. Meanwhile, wearing a ring on the ring finger or pinky of your left hand will help you appear more charming.

36. A single girl should never sing in the kitchen, or she will end up with an old boyfriend or none at all.

37. Donating money for a coffin for a dead person without relatives can help you get through tough times.

[lostsoul49]

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Must thank you for that post, its great to have someone posting on here who knows exactly what happens and how it happens.

Saves reading through screeds of silly theory and at the end still being none the wiser.

Keep up the good work.

But his post is all based on nothing but 'theory'.

Was he in the room at the time of interrogation?.... Of course not.

If anything I think he ought to pick up a pen and become a fiction writer.

This kid has obviously consulted a lawyer who has told him he has two choices.

Stick with his confession and possibly only do 10 years and come out a marked man, or take a risk and deny involvement and claim he was intimidated by interrogators which could see him freed and not be a marked man.

The kid made his choice and is going for the latter. It is as simple as that.

OMG, and you talk about fiction!

I doubt the guy even has a lawyer and certainly not one that was present when he was being 'questioned'!

You have found this guy 'not guilty' even though you have no idea if he is or isn't.

Just because some confessions are gained through intimidation doesn't make all confession retractions on that basis as meaning the accused is totally innocent.

If that is the case, everyone can confess and then claim their confession was obtained through intimidation and walk away free, even if they ARE guilty.

What the real situation is.... Most people don't like the Thai police and so this article falls very sweetly for their anti Thai police agenda, whether the guy is guilty or not is irrelevant.

We can't let the truth get in the way of having a pop at the police and judiciary of Thailand.

BTW lawyers make more money from 'not guilty' pleas..... much more money.

Why didn't he withdraw his confession the day after he made it???? Why wait this long??????

Also, what makes you think he hasn't got a lawyer???? By the way, this is not the UK, you don't have the same rights in Thailand to have a lawyer present while under questioning.

Edited July 16, 2014 by lostsoul49

[96tehtarp]

With the video from the police hitting the suspect on the head going viral it was a matter of time before they would turn this story into their favor.

Expect all suspect being released because of 1 incompetent cop.

What the hell was he thinking when he hit the man on the head in front of a camera?

Pay them peanuts and you get monkeys for the job.

The BIB are screwing this up, or so it looks.

That video was stupid.

With all of Thailand clamoring for the execution of these two culprits you'd think the police could at least pull themselves together long enough to get a clean conviction. Then we get that video.

Edited July 16, 2014 by 96tehtarp

[joecoolfrog]

lostsoul

The problem with your theory is that video , are you suggesting that disgruntled TV members fabricated it ?

Seriously these 2 accused are hardly criminal masterminds, forensic and circumstancial evidence should be ample to convict the guilty parties,why the need to force confessions ?

[Centrum]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect and/or his family (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Absolutely, the system is a joke. God knows how many plead guiilty or are set up as fall guys for others to take the rap, confess, do good behaviour and wait for a pardon a few years later.

The police look good, and someone gets to walk away.....

It's a pity God is keeping his mouth shut on the topic because then we wouldn't have to put up with all the 'knowledgeable' experts and their baseless speculation.

Why don't you go out on a limb and give us your expert opinion with a figure, a percentage perhaps?

Is it 5%?

20%

Don't worry, I won't ask you to back it up with facts.

[shaurene]

There is a book you can buy in Thailand written by an Aussie who spent 14 yrs in the Thai prisons for a murder. He wrote the book in Aussie after he was freed. He was torchured by the tourist police in Bangkok, I forget the book name but have seen it in many book shops here, very frightening reading could not put it down. He was a genuine business man from Aussie in the oil business with engineering and divers doing work on rigs etc.

[Travel2003]

99,9% of all foreigners in prison in Thailand are innocent, simply because 99,9% of the foreigners hate the Thai Police.

Nobody will buy a book which is not somewhat exciting/interesting reading.

I can write about my 27 years in the Gulag, and nobody can fact check if I have fabricated most of the stories.

[Thai at Heart]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect and/or his family (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Absolutely, the system is a joke. God knows how many plead guiilty or are set up as fall guys for others to take the rap, confess, do good behaviour and wait for a pardon a few years later.

The police look good, and someone gets to walk away.....

It's a pity God is keeping his mouth shut on the topic because then we wouldn't have to put up with all the 'knowledgeable' experts and their baseless speculation.

Why don't you go out on a limb and give us your expert opinion with a figure, a percentage perhaps?

Is it 5%?

20%

Don't worry, I won't ask you to back it up with facts.

How would anyone know? Duh.....

What would be an acceptable figure for you, or wouldn't it be a case of the only acceptable figure being zero?

[Oziex1]

When the discount for a confession is so large, the obvious incentive is to confess to anything, particularly when possibly threatened with the death penalty.

Exactly. The police are under pressure to solve a high profile case. So the strategy the police use is this:

Threaten/torture/deprive some poor suspect and/or his family (he may not even be a suspect - just someone who would fit the picture) to the point where he will do almost anything to make them stop. Make it clear to the person that they will definitely be convicted on the evidence they have/witnesses etc and offer them the chance for the torture to stop and for him to avoid the death penalty by signing a written confession.

Then they're off to court where the jury/judge believes no innocent person would admit to the heinous crime of murder, therefore he must be guilty. Even if he retracts his confession, it is already working against him.

It works a treat, almost every time. The victim gets life or death and everyone, including many on this forum, feel good. The police get a commendation and media praise. Politicians talk up how they did well to get the Thai police to solve the crime. Job well done. So what's the problem. Be happy.

In the meantime, the murderous children of the great and good are indulging in sex, booze and drug parties in Singapore until the statute of limitations on their crimes run out.

Is there a statute of limitations on murder in Thailand? Would be one of the few if any countries that have one for serious crimes.