Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, once a reputed chief at the Kaeng Krachan National Park took center stage at the court on Thursday. Brought to trial due to his speculated involvement in the vanishing of a Karen rights activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, he experienced a sigh of relief as the court acquitted him of murder charges.
However, his victory was short-lived as the court sentenced him to a three-year stint in prison for his carelessness regarding Billy’s apprehension. This rendering has put the spotlight on this case, attracting attention and scrutiny from numerous human rights groups. A trio of allies who faced accusations alongside him were excused from all charges by the court, asserting they merely complied with the instructions of their superior.
Seeking recourse, Mr. Chaiwat is prepared to contest his conviction under Section 157 of the Criminal Code. Stemming from this legislation is the exploration of conduct involving public officials. In lieu of his appeal, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases set a bail of 800,000 baht and demanded Mr. Chaiwat to stay confined within the country borders.
Billy disappeared under mysterious circumstances on April 17, 2014, after Mr. Chaiwat and other park officers detained him at a checkpoint near Bang Kloi village, located in Kaeng Krachan district of Phetchaburi. Items of confiscation included wild bee honey and a motorbike.
His detainment occurred while he was en route to discuss a lawsuit against himself and other park officers, including Mr. Chaiwat, with the indigenous Karen villagers. He was to introduce an argument of forced evictions and arson on their properties.
The court held Mr. Chaiwat accountable for his negligence in duty, as he failed to report the arrest and relinquish Billy to the authorities. Upon inspection of the charge of forced detainment, the court determined that a witness gave an account of the four-weight defendants escorting Billy towards a vehicle, but noted the absence of any weapons for coercion.
The defendants’ argument that they released Billy near an intersection lacks substantiation, with no witness to back up their claim. In contrary, no witnesses were found who could testify about the alleged illegal confinement of the activist by the four defendants either.
In relation to murder charges, the court deemed forensic evidence unable to confirm that bone fragments discovered by Department of Special Investigation (DSI) agents in 2019 were indeed Billy’s. At first, the prosecutors couldn’t press charges on account of DNA analysis being inconclusive.
In this predicament, the plaintiffs couldn’t provide tangible evidence regarding whether Billy was alive or not. The collected evidence fell short of driving the court towards believing in the guilt of the four defendants.
Appealing to the ruling, a lawyer representing Billy’s wife, Pornpen Khongkhachornkiart, stressed that Mr. Chaiwat’s punishment for improper handling of Billy’s detention confirms Billy as a missing person. Consequently, the state officials are obligated to investigate his disappearance.
Upon hearing the judiciary’s final decision, Billy’s wife Pinnapa “Mueno” Preuksapan was overwhelmed with emotion. She pledged her commitment to continue striving for the truth, hoping to dissolve any remaining uncertainties surrounding her husband’s disappearance.
Mr. Chaiwat, now at 59, was previously terminated for his supposed involvement in setting ablaze the homes of Karen villagers in the national park. Despite this, he disputed the judgment. Coincidentally, the Phetchaburi Administrative Court reinstated him as a civil servant last September. Later, in February this year, he was appointed the new chief of the National Parks Office.
The court case’s eventual outcome won’t affect Mr. Chaiwat’s responsibilities. Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, affirmed that Mr. Chaiwat has the green light to keep performing his duties because the trial against him awaits finality.
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