Murky maneuvering II

In an update to our most recent post, we noted a statement by a journalist that expressed surprise and disgust over the death in military custody of policeman Prakrom Warunprapha who had been accused of unspecified acts constituting lese majeste. That journalist stated:

The justice minister just announced that there will be no forensic examination on the body of lese majeste suspect Pol Maj Prakrom whom the Corrections Department said he committed suicide while under detention in temporary cell inside a military camp. The minister said family came to take his body and there won’t be any autopsy. How is that even possible or just?

A report in the Bangkok Post confirms that this is not only possible, but is “explained” by Justice Minister and General Paiboon Khumchaya.

Gen Paiboon reportedly told reporters that a post-mortem had “performed” by a “committee” at the Corrections Department’s hospital. That committee included “a public attorney, police officer, administrative official and forensic doctor…”. The General advised that the committee “had already issued a death certificate…”. He added: “There’s no need to send the body to the Institute of Forensic Medicine. His family has already received the body…”

And, believe it or not, Paiboon declared: “So the case is now closed.”

That’s it. The military junta believes it is not accountable to anyone and can do whatever it likes, legal or not.

Thailand is administered, if that is the right word, by thugs and scoundrels.