Never forget the sad, tragic story of 'our Billy'

Never forget the sad, tragic story of 'our Billy'

For six years, April 17 has gained significance as the date the media often report about the enforced disappearance of Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen. It is the date the Karen community near Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi pay tribute to "their Billy", the activist who is believed to have died several years ago.

I, for one, have regularly written about his case and personally take April 17 as a de facto national day for victims of enforced disappearance in Thailand.

Billy's case has led to positive and profound changes to the issue of human rights. Since he disappeared, society has fought against Thai-style sinister state suppression termed "doen oom", which literally means "being carried away" or being abducted.

Yet its true meaning is enforced disappearance -- a crime perpetrated by powerful people, mostly state officials. Their tactic is chillingly brutal -- victims vanish without trace, but leave behind a cloud of ambiguity and fear.

For decades, politicians, activists and villagers who act against the unscrupulous activities of these officials and other influential figures have been reported "missing". Most of these cases remain unsolved.

The Porlajee case has gained such traction in society because it is the first time that the suspects -- who were state officials -- were implicated and brought to trial. The case started six years ago, right after the Karen ethnic activist was released from a detention facility at the national park's office.

Billy was arrested after being charged by park officials for violating the national park law for collecting wild honey. April 17, 2014 was the last day that Billy -- a husband and father of five -- was seen alive with four park officials. One of them had an altercation with him. But the suspects were acquitted in 2015 due to lack of evidence.

Despite being just a farm boy, Billy had been active in pursuing a case against park officials who torched down his traditional community, nestled in the middle of deep forest which a few decades ago was declared as Kaeng Krachan National Park by the government.

His case has generated ripples far and wide. Human rights activists and his family tried to press charges against officials on the grounds of enforced disappearance. I have seen many people take a stand on behalf of Porlajee's family.

His case also brought attention from the Department of Special Investigation -- known as the FBI of Thailand -- which reopened the case and retrieved skull fragments from the Kaeng Krachan reservoir. Subsequent DNA tests proved that the bones indeed, belonged to Billy.

The DSI late last year pressed murder and other charges against the same four officials.

What appeared to be a ray of hope, however, let many down. Early this year, public prosecutors decided to drop the charges, saying the evidence was not enough to link his alleged murder to the four suspects.

Questions were raised about the credibility of the DSI's forensic techniques. Yet the DSI has vowed to move ahead with a lawsuit. Their next step is to request the attorney-general to decide whether to proceed with the murder and enforced disappearance charges against the four.

I asked human rights lawyer Surapong Kongchantuk, a lawyer representing Porlajee's family in the previous case, how long it will take for the case to end. He admitted he did not know when the DSI intends proceeding with the next step.

Even if the attorney-general proceeds with the case, it is uncertain if and when a final verdict will be made. That said, the family is prepared for a lengthy trial as they have already waited so long to seek justice for Porlajee.

For the lawyer, the Porlajee case is more than a legal battle -- it is a marathon campaign to prevent history from repeating itself.

"The outcome will show whether the justice system can deal with suspects who happen to be state officials," he said.

Six years after Porlajee's disappearance, the Thai society is now more aware of abduction cases. The Porlajee case has played a role in creating public awareness on enforced disappearances.

Of course, there have been more recent reports of missing persons, including political activists. To prevent such cases from happening again, the Justice Ministry had drafted the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Bill. However, the reading of this bill has been delayed for two years. That said, I believe it is just a matter of time before it eventually becomes law.

It may take years to bring those responsible to account. However, the effort should remind us of something: as long as we keep the memory of April 17th alive, the fight for justice will never die.

Anchalee Kongrut

Editorial pages editor

Anchalee Kongrut is Bangkok Post's editorial pages editor.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (6)