Human rights activist and vice-chairwoman of the National Human Rights Commission Angkhana Neelapaijit is gathering the signatures of thousands of supporters to call on the Justice Ministry to renew a probe into the disappearance of her husband, Somchai Neelapaijit, 12 years ago.
The Supreme Court ruled late last year to acquit five police officers suspected of abducting the lawyer in 2004, but Ms Angkhana insists the verdict is questionable. She wants authorities to re-examine the case while at the same time working to raise awareness.
People should know that disappearances are not that far-flung and "can occur to anybody" in certain situations, she told the Bangkok Post.
Up to 17,000 people have signed the petition at change.org, the internet-based platform aimed at helping people launch and run campaigns.
Ms Angkhana has set a six-month period for her campaign to reach a target of 25,000 signatures. A huge amount of support is necessary as the goal is to use the online campaign to back petitions lodged with state agencies. She launched the campaign last month.
However, she said she wants to see people become more aware of what happened to her husband and take part in efforts to push for a solution to the problem.
"There is real purpose behind the move [the campaign]," Ms Angkhana said.
Her husband disappeared while he was representing five suspected southern Muslim insurgents who claimed they had been tortured by authorities. Witnesses later said they saw five police force the lawyer into a car on Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok.
The Supreme Court decided to acquit the five suspects, citing confusing witness testimony. The court said it was hard to decisively identify the kidnappers. Ms Angkhana refused to sign her name in acknowledgement of the ruling.
Her call for the renewed probe into her husband's case will be among the petitions she plans to lodge with Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya at the end of her campaign.
Other requests include a call on the government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and enact the Torture and Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Suppression Act. The laws are expected help improve legal measures to deal with enforced disappearance cases, which include the disappearance of Mr Somchai.