thailandedition
Daughter fears injustice as court frees murder suspects; police explain

Daughter fears injustice as court frees murder suspects; police explain

Khaosod•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Daughter of murdered district official fears for justice as suspects are released due to prosecution delays, while police assure continued proceedings.

  • •The daughter of a murdered district official fears injustice after the court released suspects due to prosecution not filing charges within the deadline.
  • •Suspects, including a district official and four others, were arrested for kidnapping, murder, and other charges related to the victim's disappearance and death.
  • •Police explain that the release was due to the expiration of detention warrants and the need for autopsy results to be finalized before filing certain charges.
  • •The lawyer for the victim's family questions the delay and transparency of the legal process, especially given the suspect's position.
  • •Police assure the victim's family that the investigation is ongoing, and they are tracking the accused and protecting witnesses.

Overview

  • •On Dec 26, 2025, Mr. Songsaphon was abducted from his home by Mr. Weerayuth and four others, resulting in his death.
  • •On Dec 28, 2025, the victim's body was discovered buried in a landfill, leading to the arrest of Mr. Weerayuth and his associates.
  • •Mr. Weerayuth and his four accomplices were arrested on charges including intentional murder and making a person disappear, resulting in their detention.
  • •On Dec 31, 2025, the suspects were first taken into custody by the Chaiya Provincial Court, commencing their detention period.
  • •On an unspecified date in March 2026, the suspects were released from Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison due to the expiration of their detention warrants.
  • •The suspects were released because the public prosecutor could not file charges against them before the legal deadline expired, resulting in the expiration of the detention period.
  • •May 16, 2026, has been set as the date for the court to hear the autopsy case, which is required for further proceedings.
  • •Pol. Col. Natchanon assures that the police have follow-up procedures for the accused and witness protection, in order that the case continues.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Khaosod (Thai Version)

Source: Khaosod (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

N.S. Narrakan (Victim's Daughter)
"I am very worried about not receiving justice and the family facing danger. I don't understand why the prosecution and police could not bring the suspects to court proceedings."
ตนกังวล เป็นอย่างมากเกรงว่าจะไม่ได้รับความยุติธรรมและครอบครัวจะได้รับอันตราย ซึ่งตนไม่เข้าใจว่าทำไมผู้เกี่ยวข้องทั้งพนักงานอัยการและตำรวจจึงไม่สามารถนำตัวผู้ต้องหาขึ้นสู่กระบวนการพิจารณาของศาลได้
Mr. Sukal Kan Peuk Nium (Lawyer)
"I want to ask why it wasn't done in time, when most general cases are. The suspect is a district official, making the victim's daughter and society question the transparency."
จึงอยากตั้งคำถามว่า ทำไมทำไม่ทัน ทั้งที่คดีทั่วไปส่วนใหญ่ทัน คดีนี้ผู้ต้องหาเป็นปลัด ทำให้ลูกสาวผู้เสียชีวิตและสังคมตั้งคำถามได้ว่ามีความโปรงใสมากน้อยเพียงใด
Pol. Col. Natchanon Kerdkhor (Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police)
"However, police have procedures to track the accused and protect witnesses. I ask the victim to be confident that this case will continue according to the trial process by both the prosecution and the court."
อย่างไรก็ตามเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจมีกระบวนการติดตามผู้ถูกกล่าวหา และคุ้มครองพยาน จึงขอให้ผู้เสียหายมั่นใจได้ว่าคดีนี้ยังคงดำเนินต่อไป ตามขั้นตอนของการพิจารณาคดีทั้งในส่วนของพนักงานอัยการและศาล

Key Entities

Person

N.S. Narrakan (Surname withheld)(น.ส.นรกมล (สงวนนามสกุล))
The daughter of the victim, Mr. Songsaphon, who is expressing concerns about the legal process and her family's safety.
Mr. Songsaphon (Surname withheld)(นายทรงพล (สงวนนามสกุล))
The victim in the case, who was abducted and murdered.
Mr. Weerayuth (Surname withheld)(นายวีรยุทธ (สงวนนามสกุล))
The primary suspect and a district official accused of abducting and murdering Mr. Songsaphon.
Mr. Sukal Kan Peuk Nium(นายสุกัลย์ เผือกเนียม)
The lawyer representing the victim's family, who is questioning the legal process.
Pol. Col. Natchanon Kerdkhor(พ.ต.อ.ณัฐชนน เกิดก่อ)
Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, who provided an explanation of the legal procedures.

Organization

Tha Chana District Chief Official(ปลัดอำเภอท่าชนะ)
The governmental office to which the suspect, Mr. Weerayuth, belongs.
Chaiya Provincial Court(ศาลจังหวัดไชยา)
The court that handled the initial detention requests for the suspects.
Public Prosecutor(พนักงานอัยการ)
The legal body responsible for filing charges and prosecuting cases, whose delay led to the suspects' release.
Surat Thani Provincial Police(ภ.จว. สุราษฎร์ธานี)
The police department involved in the investigation, represented by Pol. Col. Natchanon.
Tha Chana Police Station(สภ.ท่าชนะ)
The local police station that compiled the case files and sent them to the public prosecutor.

Place

Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison(เรือนจำกลางจังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช)
The correctional facility where the suspects were held before their release.

Law

Criminal Procedure Code Section 129(ประมวลกฏหมายวิธีพิจนาความอาญามาตรา 129)
A legal statute cited in relation to the prosecution's requirement of autopsy results for filing charges.
Anti-Torture and -Forced Disappearance Act(พ.ร.บ.อุ้มหาย)
A law under which the suspects are being charged, related to the victim's abduction and disappearance.