Thailand: Niece of soldier beaten to death at army camp arrested for defamation

Naritsarawan Kaewnopparat. Image via Human Rights Watch.

 27th July 2016 

THE niece of an army conscript who was beaten to death by other soldiers was detained by police on Tuesday for allegedly defaming the Thai military.

Naritsarawan Kaewnopparat, 25, was arrested in Bangkok at her place of employment on charges of criminal defamation and violating the Computer Crime Act by publishing false information online.

If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a 100,000 baht (US$2,900) fine.

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In 2011, Naritsarawan’s uncle Wichian Puaksom was tortured to death by about 10 soldiers in the southern province of Narathiwat while being punished for attempting to escape from a military camp.

Wichian’s mother filed a lawsuit the following year against the Defense Ministry, the army, and the Prime Minister’s Office for the wrongful death of her son.

After conducting its own investigation into the case, the army reported that Wichian had been beaten and dragged across concrete, then had salt rubbed into his wounds before he was wrapped in a sheet and beaten again. Soon after, he died of acute renal failure.

Last year, Naritsarawan won 7 million baht (USD$200,000) in compensation for the malfeasance suit, but the actual perpetrators went unpunished.

She then disclosed the details of her uncle’s death in a TV interview and a post on popular local website Pantip, but said that she did not mention any specific names, reported the Bangkok Post.

Speaking to Khaosod English, attorney Preeda Nakphew said: “Naritsarawan acted as a representative and advocate in the place of her late uncle’s mother.”

“She fought his case in court and was already paid compensation for his death, so it is unclear as to why the police are acting on this arrest warrant now,” he said.

SEE ALSO: Thailand: Cabinet endorsement ‘positive step’ towards criminalizing torture and forced disappearance

According to human rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), Thai police should drop the “trumped-up” charges.

“The Thai police’s efforts to intimidate and retaliate against the outspoken relative of a victim of rights abuse is no less than an endorsement of torture,” said HRW’s Asia director, Brad Adams.

“The government should immediately direct the police to drop the criminal cases against Naritsarawan and seek the prosecution of those responsible for her uncle’s death,” he added.

Thailand’s military have long faced criticism over allegations of human rights abuses, such as torture and forced disappearances, but in a move cautiously praised by human rights organizations, the government recently endorsed a bill that would punish officials who are found guilty of committing such crimes.

Additional reporting by Associated Press