Bangkok: The Subcommittee on Torture has decided to await the autopsy results from Chulalongkorn University concerning the death of Police Colonel Joe before proceeding with any decisions.
According to Thai News Agency, the Subcommittee has resolved to delay its decision until the full autopsy results of the former Superintendent Joe are available. The Superintendent of Prachachuen Police Station is tasked with investigating the assault case, while the prosecutor will oversee the investigation in line with the Torture Act.
At a meeting held at the Ministry of Justice, the Subcommittee on Screening Facts in Cases of Torture and Enforced Disappearances, chaired by Ms. Amon Siangyai, Director-General of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, included representatives from 12 agencies such as the DSI, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Provincial Administration, and Department of Medical Services. Mr. Thirayuth Kaewsing, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, and Pol. Col. Sanya Ubonwiratana, Superintendent of Prachachuen Police Station, announced the Subcommittee had reviewed the case of Pol. Col. Thitisan Uthanaphon, also known as former Superintendent Joe, who died while in custody at Klong Prem Central Prison.
The case consideration was divided into two issues. The first issue involved the death while in custody at Klong Prem Central Prison, raising suspicions of a potential violation of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances Act B.E. 2565. Despite the Institute of Forensic Medicine’s preliminary announcement pointing to suicide, the Subcommittee is waiting for the official autopsy report from Chulalongkorn Hospital, along with evidence and crime scene results from the Royal Thai Police, before making any decisions.
The second issue concerns allegations that guards at Klong Prem Central Prison harassed and used violence against Pol. Col. Joe. The Fact-Finding Subcommittee has assigned a working group to investigate these claims, examining testimonies from ten individuals involved in the alleged bullying and violence and receiving complaints from the deceased’s relatives, including his mother and younger sister. The investigation aims to be thorough, transparent, and fair, with the Royal Thai Police conducting the investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor, in accordance with the Prevention and Suppression of Torture Act.
If any offenses are identified among state officials, legal action will be taken with the participation of the public prosecutor. Since the enactment of the 2022 Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, there have been over 100 complaints regarding deaths in detention centers, with this subcommittee responsible for determining whether torture was involved.