THAILAND: Extremely brutal torture of a man at Chonburi Provincial Police Station 

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by another case of extremely brutal torture by the police in Thailand. According to the information available to the AHRC, Mr Urai Srineh was illegally arrested and taken to the Chonburi Provincial Police Station where he was brutally tortured on 24-25 May 2005 in connection with the murder of six Cambodian migrant workers. He was repeatedly electrocuted on his testicles and groin over about four hours and also beaten on his body with a stick. He was released on May 25. However, he was severely wounded due to the brutal torture and doctors suggest that he may have lasting damage. The Chonburi provincial police reportedly gave the money to the victim to avoid prosecution or punishment.

This is yet another example of extreme torture by the Thai police on suspects in ordinary criminal cases in order to extract a confession. The AHRC is very concerned to see that the Thai police systemically use electrocution in torture. We have previously reported the two similar cases of Mr Ekkawat Srimanta and Anek Yangnuek, who were brutally beaten up and electrocuted by the police to confess (UP-71-2004 and UA-153-2004). Both men were electrocuted mercilessly on the penis and testicles. These cases show a mentality among officers of the Royal Thai Police in which extremely cruel and barbaric treatment of persons in custody is considered acceptable.

We urge you to immediately intervene in this matter. Please send your appeals to the Government of Thailand demanding an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident. Please also urge the Government of Thailand to ratify the UN Convention against Torture without delay and establish independent avenues through which people can lodge complaints against torture perpetrators so that they can be investigated and punished.

Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
———————————————————

DETAILED INFORMATION: (based on the victim’s account and independent fact-finding)

Victim: Mr Urai Srineh, 44, a security guard by profession, married to Mrs Kaesorn Nukjaeng, three children
Alleged Perpetrators: At least 4-5 unidentified men, allegedly officers of Chonburi Provincial Police Station investigating murder of six Cambodian migrant workers on May 7
Dates: 24–25 May 2005
Place: Chonburi Provincial Police Station, Region 2

When Mr Urai Srineh was at home with his family, five men in plain clothes came into his house at around 6pm on 24 May 2005. They identified themselves as police officers and told Mr Urai to go with them. They did not offer a warrant or give a reason for their actions. When Mr Urai protested, they are alleged to have said that, “The police don’t do anything carelessly.” ( µÓÃǨäÁè·ÓÍÐäêØèÂæ ). Within three minutes Mr Urai was removed from his house before the eyes of his wife and children. He was placed in a car and blindfolded and handcuffed, after which he was driven for about two hours.

Mr Urai was then taken into a room, still blindfolded, and told to confess to the killing of six Cambodian migrant workers and injuring of four others at the Para Eastern Industry Company Ltd in Klaeng District, Rayong Province on May 7. When Mr Urai strongly maintained his innocence, the police electrocuted repeatedly on his testicles and groin over a period estimated to be around four hours. He was electrocuted him four to five times, lasting two to three minutes each time. When he was electrocuted, Mr Urai’s body contracted and there were spasms of pain. He was also beaten on his body with a stick. However, Mr Urai constantly insisted on his innocence and the police brought another accused, Mr Prakard Boontha (40), to the room. When Mr Prakard saw the victim, he told the police that Mr Urai was not involved in the murder. The police then took the victim out of the premises after a one-hour integration. It was around 2am on May 25. When he was taken out, Mr Urai saw that he was leaving the Chonburi Provincial Police Station. At about 5am he was dropped nearby his house.

After reaching his house, Mr Urai was taken to the Klaeng District Hospital and then transferred to the Rayong Provincial Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. He was found to be suffering burn marks on his groin, swollen testicles, an injury on his left toe and bruised wrists due to the use of handcuffs. He was unable to urinate. He was experiencing numbness in his lower body and lung and kidney problems. According to doctors who have examined him, the injuries are serious and may result in lasting damage, or at least take a long time to heal.

While Mr Urai was at the hospital, some police officers led by the investigating officer in charge of the murder case, Police Major Manop Prasart of Klaeng District Police Station, Rayong province, came to visit him and offered the victim a sum of the money, supposed to have been 400,000 baht, if he would not report them. The victim reportedly accepted the money to pay his medical bills and avoid further trouble. After that he moved to another location for reasons of personal safety. However, the AHRC has heard that the total expenses of Mr Urai’s medical bills may reach as high as one million baht, depending on the degree of seriousness of injuries, which were yet to be ascertained in the days after the torture.

The Thai media reported that the commander of Regional Police Bureau 2 Police Lieutenant General Jongrak Juthanont has stated that he would ensure justice for the victim of the alleged torture. However, no action is known to have yet been taken to investigate the case so far.

There is also concern about the condition of the other suspects who have remained in detention. There is no information of whether or not they were tortured, but in view of the very brutal treatment of Mr Urai, it is possible that they might have been tortured. Full medical examinations of all suspects in this case must be carried out by qualified independent medical officers without delay.

———-

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER