Puttikarn’s Fight for Justice: Exposing Domestic Abuse to Break Free in Pathum Thani

In a heart-wrenching plea for safety, a 24-year-old Thai woman named Puttikarn found refuge with the non-profit organization Saimai Survive after enduring months of harrowing abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. Their relationship, spanning 10 tumultuous months, was marred by instances of physical assault and psychological torment. The latest outburst of violence was triggered by something as trivial as her refusal to make instant noodles.

Puttikarn’s boyfriend, Singha, aged 27, would often resort to violence during heated arguments or when inebriated, turning their condominium in Pathum Thani into a battleground of fear. Throughout their relationship, Singha wielded his familial ties like a weapon, threatening Puttikarn with ruin and boasting about his untouchable status due to supposed connections with influential politicians in Prachin Buri and his father’s legal background. Thus, despite the relentless abuse, Puttikarn lived in constant fear of the repercussions of fighting back.

The verbal abuse extended to Puttikarn’s family, with Singha derisively mocking her father’s humble profession as a street vendor. This cruelty was hurled despite the trust her father had placed in Singha, believing him to be a capable partner for his daughter. However, the situation reached a critical point when a violent incident just before New Year’s Eve forced Puttikarn to reclaim power over her life.

On December 30, Singha’s tempestuous temper spiraled out of control once more. After returning from a raucous gathering, he demanded Puttikarn cook for him. When she declined, Singha’s fury erupted; he launched a vicious attack, hurling instant noodles at her before escalating to physical blows. In a moment of bravery, Puttikarn managed to secretly record some of the assault, capturing Singha’s rage on camera—a crucial piece of evidence she later handed over to the authorities.

Her silent ordeal wasn’t limited to the four walls of their home. Puttikarn disclosed that she had confronted Singha about his infidelity, a revelation met with yet another public display of his volatile nature. Even more astonishingly, Singha did not deny these allegations when he participated in an interview on the popular program “Discussing, Not Arguing”. He shamefully admitted his tendency towards violence, somewhat unconvincingly attributing it to alcohol misuse and a naturally aggressive demeanor.

With Puttikarn finally stepping forward, Ekkaphop Lueangprasert, the founder of Saimai Survive, has stepped into the fray, urging local police at Khlong Ha Station to increase surveillance around the condo and begin legal proceedings against Singha. The landscape of domestic violence laws in Thailand suggests Singha might face charges under Section 295 of the Criminal Code, potentially facing up to two years of imprisonment, a fine reaching 40,000 baht, or both.

This incident shines a broader light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence in Thailand, with many cases going unreported due to fear of retribution or societal stigma. Puttikarn’s courage in seeking justice paves the way for many others trapped in similar shadows of silence, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change and stronger protective measures for victims.