On 24 Dec, Phairoj Pholphet, Chair of the NGO Coordinating Committee, led a group of NGO workers and members of people’s organizations petitioned the Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation to adopt the case of the shooting of an NGO worker in Songkhla.
Sitthichai Patpong, Vice Chairperson of the Thai Sea Conservation Association, was severely injured from gunshots in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, on 27 Nov.
The investigation under the Hat Yai police so far has seen no progress, the activists said.
Sitthichai was shot because he had conflicts with local mafia after he had organized villagers to buy rubber, Phairoj said.
DSI Director-General Tharit Phengdit told the activists that this was an outrageous case, and the DSI would make a consideration.
Tharadon Madlead, member of the Thai Sea Conservation Association, said that police had a sketch of one of the culprits, but had yet made any progress. He believed the DSI would accelerate the investigation.
He also hoped that the DSI’s involvement would also tackle the problems of local mafia. Previously, four people in the rubber-buying group had been killed.
Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”