Pai Dao Din’s parents seek apology

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Pai Dao Din’s parents seek apology

By KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

 

Eakpant Pindavanija (center), the director of the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, and activist Nuttaa Mahattana (left) represent Pai's parents in submitting the letter at the foreign affairs ministry. (Photo Courtesy of Banrasdr Photo)

 

BANGKOK: -- THE PARENTS of activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, better known as “Pai Dao Din”, are demanding that the Thai ambassador to South Korea issues a formal apology and corrects what they allege are “deviations from the truth” in connection with the accusations against their son.

 

Wiboon and Prim Boonpattararaksa submitted a letter to the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday threatening to take legal action if the ministry fails to comply with their wishes.

 

Their letter was in response to the letter from Sarun Charoensuwan, the Thai ambassador in Seoul, which was sent on May 2 to the chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation. The foundation has awarded this year’s Gwangju Prize for Human Rights to Jatupat, and his parents will receive the award on his behalf in South Korea tomorrow.

 

The controversial letter, signed by the ambassador, had content that deviated from the truth and could result in misunderstanding, insult and hatred towards their son, the couple said.

 

They clarified in their letter that their son remained innocent of the accusations made against him as the court had not yet reached a final verdict. They also said Jatupat had not committed actions in violation of his bail conditions, as stated in the ambassador’s letter.

 

These two points were in addition to the ambassador’s claim in his letter that Thailand was supportive of the freedom of expression and political gatherings, when in reality the government prohibited political assembly, the activist’s parents wrote. 

 

The UN and other international organisations have issued several statements denouncing the government for breaching human rights and international law, they added.

 

To protect Jatupat’s “dignity and reputation”, they requested a formal apology and correction of information that they claimed deviated from the truth, or they would exercise their legal rights against relevant persons on behalf of their son.

 

Jatupat remains in prison as his bail requests have been rejected on nine occasions. 

 

He is charged with violating the lese-majeste law and the Computer Crime Act after sharing a BBC Thai article last December.

 

Nukun Srisophon, director of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s General Affairs Division, accepted the parents’ letter on behalf of the ministry and said it would be passed on to relevant units. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30315418

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-17

[darksidedog]

Well this Government never misses out on an opportunity to kick people when they are down, so this is no great surprise.

I'm pretty sure the South Koreans would have seen straight through the letters lies and inaccuracies, but fair play to mum and dad, for bringing the issue into the public eye, and ensuring the South Koreans understand exactly what their son has actually been charged with.

 

[mtls2005]

Time to throw the parents in military prison.

[YetAnother]

looks like the quality of ambassadors is dropping; useless headline grab for the parents

[soalbundy]

passed on to 'relevant units'',what is that ? a new name for a waste paper basket

[jaltsc]

"THE PARENTS of activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, better known as “Pai Dao Din”, are demanding that the Thai ambassador to South Korea issues a formal apology..."

 

If they do get an apology, I am sure it will be heartfelt. Just like every other apology, exhibition of giving merit,  50,000 baht and a few wais to the families who were wronged. All is forgiven and it's back to the life of hypocrisy. 

Edited May 17, 2017 by jaltsc