Thailand’s Central Criminal Court of Corruption and Misconduct acquitted four forestry officials who were charged with the murder of Indigenous rights activist Pholachi Rakchongcharoen on Thursday, as reported by the JURIST News. The four officials, including former chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn, were indicted with murder in August 2022 over suspicions that they killed Pholachi, who disappeared after last being seen in their custody at the park.
Despite the announcement from Department of Special Investigation that partial remains found in the park belonged to Pholachi, the court determined that there was insufficient forensic evidence to support this claim. The court also asserted that circumstantial evidence lacked credibility, and as such, could not be used in determining whether the defendants had committed the alleged crime.
Pholachi was a prominent figure among the Karen ethnic minority group, to which he belonged. He advocated fiercely for the group’s rights and spearheaded a lawsuit against Chaiwat, who had attempted to forcefully evict the Karen group by burning their homes.
Although the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance was enacted in Thailand on August 26, 2022, it was not applicable in this case, as it came into effect after the indictment of the forestry officials. Amnesty International, in a statement issued on September 26, marked this trial as a significant test for Thailand’s judiciary. It urges the court to exhibit a commitment to addressing enforced disappearances align with international human rights laws.
Furthermore, the rights group called upon the Thai government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.