The arrest of a suspect in a shocking Bangkok murder is welcome news. This is tempered, however, by strong suspicion that the man arrested committed a long string of sadistic murders and assaults.
The arrested man, now known as Para Chusri, 52, has at least 14 aliases and served time in prison. His criminal past must receive close attention, but investigators must also determine how he was able to escape detection for so long.
Para's years on the run, the almost unbelievably sadistic murders of which he is accused and the long police hunt that resulted in his arrest were detailed in this newspaper on Sunday. The final success of authorities was possibly because one of his intended victims survived. Her report to Chiang Mai police began the final manhunt that resulted in Para's arrest.
It was "a lucky break", in police talk. A living witness was able to describe the suspect in detail. The main clues found previously in all murders were grainy CCTV images. But the sad fact was that until recently, police had never linked the murders which Para is suspected of committing. Authorities had no idea they were dealing with a likely serial killer.
This is far from the first such case, but it is more troubling. More than 16 months ago, police caught a serial killer in Bangkok. A shadowy man known only as Nui had escaped detection while he abducted, raped and killed "many" children. He was caught after he kidnapped six-year-old Nong Cartoon from her father's pickup truck, and murdered her in eastern Bangkok. The disturbing part of all this tragedy is that police promised last year to update and upgrade their serial-crime investigations. By all accounts, they have not.
Serial killers, almost by definition, succeed because of a combination of cunning and a sick, psychopathic mind. But the serial killer also requires one or both of two additional circumstances: luck or police attention. Serial criminals manage to escape detection, often for a long time. Either police are unable to see connections between their crimes, or, more shockingly, they don't much care.
Para's arrest may have solved an eight-year spree of disgusting premeditated murders; the courts will decide this. The case also has opened up questions about why he was not detected or at least suspected years ago. It is always easier to see flaws in the investigation once the suspect is in custody. That said, the suspect in an eight-year string of sickening murders left a virtual field of clues that authorities overlooked. In some cases, it appears that Para might have received aid through corruption.
The suspect in the brutal, serial murders and assaults on women eluded authorities for years. Yet, his methods were actually crude. He changed his name at least 14 times in 12 years. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the bureaucracy.
It is obvious, however, no one twigged to this. One of the name changes took place during the time he was imprisoned in Mae Hong Son province. He was convicted of murder, rape and robbery in 1989, but was never considered a suspect in other killings after he was released for good behaviour in 2005.
Too many flaws in police investigation have appeared in Para's case. Lives would have been saved if police had improved their serial-murder investigations as they promised after Nong Cartoon was killed.
The arrest of this suspected killer must be tempered by the fact that police promises of competence have still not been met.