Father pleads for action on daughter's killing

[Lite Beer]

Father pleads for action on daughter's killing
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION

A JAPANESE man has called on Thai authorities to speed up an investigation into the murder of his daughter, who was killed in Sukhothai province during a holiday eight years ago.

Yasuaki Kawashita, 66, met yesterday with Cabinet secretary-general Wilas Aroonsri to demand that the culprit be brought to justice.

His daughter, Tomoko, was found dead at Sukhothai Historical Park on May 25, 2007. The crime made headlines.

Shigekazu Sato, the Japanese ambassador to Thailand, accompanied Kawashita to the meeting at Government House yesterday. A number of Japanese reporters also showed up.

After emerging from the meeting, Kawashita said Wilas had pledged to strive his hardest to follow up on the case. "He said he has daughters too and understands my loss," the Japanese father said.

Kawashita said he was told that his daughter's case had been transferred to the Department of Special Investigation and that local police and Sukhothai residents were cooperative.

"I've heard that the police will also offer a bounty of Bt500,000 for any tip-off leading to the arrest of the murderer," he said.

Kawashita urged the Thai media to continue reporting on the case and find his daughter's camera, which he believed might provide crucial evidence.

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, who also met with Kawashita and the ambassador, said Japanese authorities would be allowed to jointly examine evidence in the case in response to the submitted request, "so it's clear to both sides".

Paiboon said Thai authorities would investigate issues raised by the victim's family, but he had no idea when the case might be solved.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Father-pleads-for-action-on-daughters-killing-30255514.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-07

[MaxLee]

A JAPANESE man has called on Thai authorities to speed up an investigation into the murder of his daughter, who was killed in Sukhothai province during a holiday eight years ago.

Woow, 8 years ago....... indeed Amazing Thailand Thai way of handling foreign crimes....

"I've heard that the police will also offer a bounty of Bt500,000 for any tip-off leading to the arrest of the murderer," he said.

I think that this Japanese dad never heard about typical Thai way, bounty, man hunt = case closed

Edited March 6, 2015 by MaxLee

[clockman]

Plenty more unsolved murders! But. T.I.T.

[NongKhaiKid]

Paiboon said he had no idea when the case might be solved and never a true word was said but he's in good company as with this and so many other investigations neither does the BIB.

However I do not include instances where the BIB are paid not to know, not paid to do their job so don't bother, where someone who is important or connected is involved or where someone is simply fitted up.

[greenchair]

It is good that in this case, the Japanese investigators are invited to examine evidence.

Unlike in the KT case the British police were denied their request to examine evidence.

[jerojero]

8 years ago? Not a hope in H**l that anything whatsoever will be resolved or completed about this.

[Strangebrew]

Look sorry to say the keystone cops can't find there butt with both hands this will never be solved.

[Lupatria]

I don't expect any outcome of any new investigation in this case. However, I admire the father for not giving in and pointing the finger at those in charge.

[maidee]

greasy money needed

what he expects after 8 years ???? DNA check ?

[Daniel Ingalls]

Wow! ....8 years ago?........I would not be surprised that anyone could think that far back! Thats a long time to open up a murder case

Good luck!

[Lite Beer]

Japanese parents seek justices for slain daughter

BANGKOK: -- The parents of a female Japanese tourist who was killed in Sukhothai province 7 years ago has approached justice officials to ask for progress in the case.

So far, no suspects have been arrested and the police have stated that they were willing to allow Japanese authorities to look at all the evidence.

The Japanese ambassador to Thailand accompanied Yasu-aki and Aeko Kawashita, the parents of the murdered Japanese female tourist to meet with Gen. Paiboon Khumchaya, the minister for the Ministry of Justice yesterday.

They asked for any developments in the case.

The Kawashita’s daughter Tomoko Kawashita, was murdered at Wat Saphan Hin temple located within the grounds of the Sukhothai Historical Park during the Loi Kratong festival in 2007.

After the meeting, Gen Paiboon stated that he had clarified the situation involved in the case and had reassured the Kawashitas that authorities were still actively investigating the case throughout the entire 7 years.

He explained that the Royal Thai Police Department is in close cooperation with the Central Institute of Forensic Science in thoroughly investigating all evidence involved in the case which includes DNA checks but has so far been unable to bring the case to a closure.

The minister also stated that Thai authorities were willing to clarify any contentious points raised by Japanese authorities and were more than willing to hand over all relevant files involved in the case to their Japanese counterparts.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/japanese-parents-seek-justices-for-slain-daughter

-- Thai PBS 2015-03-07

[Baerboxer]

It is good that in this case, the Japanese investigators are invited to examine evidence.

Unlike in the KT case the British police were denied their request to examine evidence.

In another 8 years, the British police may be invited to examine the evidence in the unsolved KT case.

[DLock]

The RTP can't find 2 people who they have video off who planted a bomb on the BTS - "The Dragon" and "The Gimp".

What chance do they have of an 8 year old cold case with no leads, clues or video?

Sorry Kawashita-san, but while I feel for your loss, you are only setting yourself for more pain and expense.

[Broeno]

I wonder if the word "royal" Thai police is a insult of the king.

[chinostar]

I wonder if the word "royal" Thai police is a insult of the king.

R can stand for many words......

[LuckyLew]

Feel sorry for the man losing a daughter and not know who done it or why.

Just another unsolved murder of a foreigner that has gone unsolved

[Johnny S]

Another foreigner murdered and RTP still fast a sleep, they just dont give a sh*t - to protect and serve, yeah their own bankaccount maybe

[Tywais]

For background on this case, Thaivisa news article 2007 - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/155471-female-japanese-tourist-robbed-and-murdered-in-sukhothai/

[bangon04]

For background on this case, Thaivisa news article 2007 - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/155471-female-japanese-tourist-robbed-and-murdered-in-sukhothai/

Yes a wonderful quote from the RTP at the time....

"Sukhothai Police Chief Major General Thirrin Padungchiwit ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of the murder. "This is a priority case because it has damaged the reputation of Sukhothai and the entire country," said Thirrin."

You can just imagine the effort they put into a case which is NOT a "priority".

The national and international shame goes on... yet Thais still put up with it....

[bkkcanuck8]

Plenty more unsolved murders! But. T.I.T.

On an average year in the US there are 6,000 unsolved murders (equivalent to 1,500 unsolved murders in Thailand based on per capita).

Thailand of course has less resources available to them to solve murders, but unsolved murders are not unique to Thailand.

When you eliminate the natural suspects (spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, business partners) and it comes down to a random act of violence -- potentially a robbery) the solution rate to murders go way way down. Assuming that EVERY unsolved murder is because of the poor professionalism of the police (yes there are major problems with police) is a little arrogant.

If the murder remains unsolved with a 500,000 baht reward, there is likely not much evidence to be found.

Personally, the term "T.I.T." grates on my nerves -- and I believe everyone that gets into the habit of using it should really just leave Thailand because it is obvious they would be happier anywhere but Thailand (assuming they can be happy about anything).

[Jeremy50]

Japanese parents seek justices for slain daughter

BANGKOK: -- The parents of a female Japanese tourist who was killed in Sukhothai province 7 years ago has approached justice officials to ask for progress in the case.

So far, no suspects have been arrested and the police have stated that they were willing to allow Japanese authorities to look at all the evidence.

The Japanese ambassador to Thailand accompanied Yasu-aki and Aeko Kawashita, the parents of the murdered Japanese female tourist to meet with Gen. Paiboon Khumchaya, the minister for the Ministry of Justice yesterday.

They asked for any developments in the case.

The Kawashita’s daughter Tomoko Kawashita, was murdered at Wat Saphan Hin temple located within the grounds of the Sukhothai Historical Park during the Loi Kratong festival in 2007.

After the meeting, Gen Paiboon stated that he had clarified the situation involved in the case and had reassured the Kawashitas that authorities were still actively investigating the case throughout the entire 7 years.

He explained that the Royal Thai Police Department is in close cooperation with the Central Institute of Forensic Science in thoroughly investigating all evidence involved in the case which includes DNA checks but has so far been unable to bring the case to a closure.

The minister also stated that Thai authorities were willing to clarify any contentious points raised by Japanese authorities and were more than willing to hand over all relevant files involved in the case to their Japanese counterparts.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/japanese-parents-seek-justices-for-slain-daughter

-- Thai PBS 2015-03-07

That's an interesting picture. Who is the giant wearing the DSI jacket? I once got chased out of this park, jogging here is not allowed.

[FangFerang]

Sad, doubtful, uncertain issues cloud almost every criminal affair here.

[tonydandelot]

feel sorry for the father , but should show up with the ambassador 8 years ago so they would put up a bounty 8 years ago.

doesn't mean that the case would have been solved ,what u expect from monkeys with hats but would have increased chances littlebit though.

[tonydandelot]

i hate it when there is a dead body or a hopeless family (father) or victims in a picture...there's always a laughing thai on it too