Guilty until proved innocent

News > Investigative Report

Three teens falsely accused of a triple homicide and later acquitted are among the fortunate minority of those railroaded in a justice system quick to convict on the flimsiest of evidence

Published: 9 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Spectrum

On her way to a Kalasin police station on July 11, Nuttha Phirommak's heart was breaking as she thought of the predicament her 17-year-old son, Tew, was in. Police there had detained him for murdering three people and injuring three others in a gun attack.

Ms Nuttha, a 37-year-old single mother, arrived at the station at about 8pm, looking on helplessly as police ushered her son out of an interrogation room.

Upon seeing his mother, Tew told her: "Mum, please don't worry. I didn't do it. I know nothing." He was then sent to the Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre in Khon Kaen. along with his cousin No, 17. Another cousin Petch, 20, was sent to Kalasin Prison.

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Ramet in Dallas
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Discussion 21 : 09 Sep 2012 at 20.4221
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And Pol. Capt. Chalerm is pushing to execute drug dealers sooner after conviction with this system; even less chance for appeal.

The main problem with this 'rush to judgement' and forced confessions is that the guilty are still in the community.
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bern1005
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Discussion 20 : 09 Sep 2012 at 17.1120
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The use of beatings to get confessions is both routine and (as shown here) highly unreliable. At the heart of the problem is the "knowledge" that the law is not something to be respected and obeyed, rather it is something plastic and full of financial opportunities.
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JP

Discussion 19 : 09 Sep 2012 at 14.2619
Take a step back and take a thought, had the police had taken the time to 'investigate' this case correctly, just maybe, maybe one of their colleagues would not of fallen foul also to the hands of the real perpetrators of the students.
from iPhone application.
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samesame
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Discussion 18 : 09 Sep 2012 at 12.2618
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Why hasn't Vorayuth Yoovidhya been arrested and held in Police custody then? that case has gone very quiet I bet theres a few bulging suitcases being handed around Bangkok as compensation
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wantmyony
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Discussion 17 : 09 Sep 2012 at 12.2117
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Thailand need international help to clean up its justice system, its worst than north korea! Quickly get help from outside before its too late.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 16 : 09 Sep 2012 at 12.1116
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I once taught an English course for the Thai Tourist Police. More than a few of the students complained to me about their job, saying they saw corruption all the time but could do little to stop it. Most just tried to do the best they could and look forward to retirement. The corruption was too deeply entrenched.
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 15 : 09 Sep 2012 at 11.2515
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"Chuvit Kamolvisit, the founder of and MP for the Rak Thailand Party, who helped Ms Nuttha fight for compensation after the truth was revealed, said No and Petch were brought to a "safe house" where they were beaten up by police and forced to confess. Both were terrified and, in desperation, confessed to the crimes."

The article does not say anything about what happened to these police officers. They should go to jail.
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dickemery
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Discussion 14 : 09 Sep 2012 at 11.1314
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so how come we all disapprove of corruption and want justice for all,yet the few pt supporters argue that their leaders and paymaster are not corrupted and doing it for the people,are they blinded because their loved ones come from the north and listen to the propaganda,being spewed out and thrown a few crumbs to satisfy them,perhaps the poor from north,south,east and west should start a people movement ?
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dickemery
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Discussion 13 : 09 Sep 2012 at 11.0113
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an australian nurse on vacation here was passing a accident,she stopped to attend the injured ,only to be accused by the policeman that she caused the accident,luckily a thai person came forward to explain to this policeman that she just arrived to help ,in future in thailand she will not stop to help,a nice little earner prevented
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dao
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Discussion 12 : 09 Sep 2012 at 10.4012
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After some construction workers next door decided to steal some stuff from my house from the police thought it appropriate to arrest a ice delivery guy who happened to ride past even though it was obvious it had been one of the workers who had already fled to fence the stuff stolen .Just lazy police work .
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