Arrest warrants issued for five privates in conscript’s killing

[webfact]

Arrest warrants issued for five privates in conscript’s killing
By SUWANNEE BANDISAK,
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

 

 

SURAT THANI: -- POLICE have issued arrest warrants for five privates allegedly involved in the death of a conscript at Vibhavadi Rangsit Military Camp in Surat Thani Province, while the family of the dead private will receive Bt230,000 in compensation.

 

Pol Maj-General Apichart Bunsrirote, commander of Surat Thani provincial police, said the investigation into the death of Private Yuthkinan Boonniam, who was beaten to death inside the military camp compound, was progressing well and nearly completed.

 

“Five suspects are confirmed to be involved in the death of Private Yuthkinan according to the clear evidence from witnesses and surveillance camera records, thanks to the enthusiastic assistance from the 45th Military Circle,” Apichart said. “We are sure that we can bring justice for Private Yuthkinan’s family soon.”

 

It was reported that the five privates on the arrest warrants will be taken to Surat Thani Police Station.

 

Apichart said determining the cause of death was still underway, as police were questioning doctors about the autopsy results.

A preliminary autopsy found that Yuthkinan died from acute kidney failure as the result of severe injuries.

 

According to a NEW TV report, images of Yuthkinan’s injuries before he died were shared on a soldiers’ Line group. A video clip showed that he was ordered to lie outdoors on a bed covered by a thick blanket under the hot sun.

 

A chat session among Line group members said Yuthkinan had told other soldiers that he felt unwell and needed a rest, so he was “treated” to regain his health.

 

There was also a video clip from the morning of March 27 that showed Yuthkinan walking to the front gate of the camp looking normal and healthy. He was punished later that day before being hospitalised on March 31.

 

Yuthkinan’s mother Renu Mhodrakee said that despite the grief at losing her son, she was happy with the rapid progress in identifying suspects in the case.

 

But she also said she had not scheduled her son’s cremation ceremony because the case had not been concluded and the culprits had not been punished. In regards to compensation, Maj-General Wichai Thassan-amontian, commander of the Military Circle 45, said Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisa-ard had contributed Bt100,000 and the Military Circle 45 Bt20,000 for Yuthkinan’s family.

 

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department also gave Bt110,000 as compensation for the loss as well.

 

Two soldiers have reportedly been transferred to inactive posts – Lieutenant Thitikan Wejjasit, the acting commander of the military camp’s prison, and Sergeant Surachet Phrommas, the officer on duty.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30311326

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-05

[steven100]

Well it won't bring that beautiful handsome looking boy back but at least someone may be punished. 

[z42]

Absolutely despicable. The army base is paying only 20k baht in compensation. And the ranking officers who dish out orders and namely the sgt with whom the victim reportdly had issues with get the cushy inactive post treatment only.

Kn no way is this taking responsibility. The family deserve and must demand more from this gutter outfit ?

[jaltsc]

 "POLICE have issued arrest warrants for five privates allegedly involved in the death of a conscript..."

 

That's because they can't arrest and charge the underlying military culture that promotes these acts. In battle, it's called collateral damage. In this case, it's an unfortunate accident. This goes on in all militaries around the world. It is only when it gets out of hand that the higher up are forced to address the problem. However, in countries where the military rules, they will charge, arrest and punish the lowest ranking enlisted personnel and throw them under the bus. The ruling generals are untouchable. 

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

So a life here is not worth more than 230.000 THB !

[canuckamuck]

Quote

Apichart said determining the cause of death was still underway, as police were questioning doctors about the autopsy results.

Apparently the doctors need help from the police to determine the cause of death; or the police are not happy with the version of the truth chosen so far.

[AGareth2]

5 privates to be charged

but what about the officer/s who gave the order?

can't believe they (pvt's) acted without authorisation

[steven100]

48 minutes ago, AGareth2 said:

5 privates to be charged

but what about the officer/s who gave the order?

can't believe they (pvt's) acted without authorisation

yes ,  they must have been ordered to do the torturing,   and 5 privates ????   seems an excessive number in my book ...  someone needs to pay ...   that boy was so handsome.

[lemonjelly]

230,000 baht compensation for having your son beaten to death by the Thai Army..... disgraceful 

[The Deerhunter]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

yes ,  they must have been ordered to do the torturing,   and 5 privates ????   seems an excessive number in my book ...  someone needs to pay ...   that boy was so handsome.

Too handsome for his own good probably.  Check the airport.  They are probably trying to emigrate to the UAE.

[The Deerhunter]

4 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Apparently the doctors need help from the police to determine the cause of death; or the police are not happy with the version of the truth chosen so far.

Yes his weak heart that they failed to include in the report could not stand the beating and torture that normal healthy conscripts seem to thrive on.

[FangFerang]

Senseless tragedy and an at least intelligent reply: "Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisa-ard had contributed Bt100,000 and the Military Circle 45 Bt20,000 for Yuthkinan’s family."

[Jonmarleesco]

Funny. Five privates arrested, yet a lieutenant and a sergeant are simply reassigned (inactive posts), something with which they are presumably familiar.