A mother of a late soldier sues the Thai Defense Ministry and the Royal Thai Army over the death of her son, who was allegedly tortured by army officers shortly before his death.
According the Cross Cultural Center (CrCf), a CSO promoting human rights and cultural diversity, on Wednesday morning, 26 August 2015, the Civil Court of Bangkok, Ratchada Rd., held a witness examination hearing on the plaintiff of an alleged torture case of Somchai Sriaungdoi, a late military officer.
The plaintiff on the case is Saysuda Sriaungdoi, the mother of the late officer. She has filed a civil case against the Defense Ministry, the Royal Thai Army, and the Prime Minister's Office, over the the death of her son, alleging that the late officer suffered from severe physical torture in the hands of other soldiers contributing to his death.
The mother demanded the state agencies to compensate the death of her son.
At the court, Saysuda had to speak through a translator because she is a member of Pakayaw ethnic tribe, one of the sub-ethnicities of Karen tribes.
Two other plaintiffs on the case testified on Wednesday were Chamaiporn Sriaungdoi, the late officer’s sister, and Nittaya Wangpaiboon, the plaintiff lawyer.
CrCf reported that Somchai, the late military officer, who was then serving at Kawela Military Base in the northern province of Chiang Mai, between 21-23 January 2014 was tortured by three military officers at the base.
The three officers allegedly covered his head with a metal can and repeatedly hitting his head and body for about 20 times after which Somchai told his mother about the alleged torture.
Later on 28 January 2014, Somchai was sent to a health facility in the military base because of rising temperatures and physical fatigue. He was later transferred to Theppanya Hospital in Chiang Mai due to the severity of his symptom and died the next day on 29 January 2014.
According to the forensic report, the pathologists of Maharat Hospital of Chiang Mai mentioned that the late officer died from having bird flu because of his weak physical condition prior to the virus infection.
The next trials on the case will be held at the Chiang Mai Provincial Court on 8,9, and 11 December 2015.