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the national police chief said the slain ethnic activist could have shot the soldiers.
NO WHERE IS THERE A PRIOR MENTION OF Chaiyapoom BEING IN POSSESSION OF A GUN !!!!!!
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with what ?
NO WHERE IS THERE A PRIOR MENTION OF Chaiyapoom BEING IN POSSESSION OF A GUN !!!!!!
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Culture of impunity at root of summary killing of Lahu activist
Kongpob Areerat
Wed, 22/03/2017
Behind the summary killing of a young ethnic minority rights activist lies a deep-rooted culture of impunity and discrimination against ethnic minorities long stigmatised as drug traffickers.
On 17 March 2017, the promising life of Chaiyapoom Pasae, a 17-year-old member of the Lahu ethnic minority, was cut short when soldiers and other security officers of the Pha Muang Task Force deployed at a checkpoint in Chiang Dao District in Chiang Mai Province summarily killed him.
Chaiyapoom was a well-known activist from the Young Seedlings Network Camp in Chiang Dao district. He was involved in numerous campaigns to promote the rights of ethnic Lahu and other vulnerable ethnic minorities in northern Thailand to gain citizenship, health care, and access to education. He also spoke out against abuses by the Thai security forces against his community during anti-drug operations. He was also a producer of documentaries and a composer of music. Several of his short films, including 'A Comb and a Buckle,' were shown on the Thai PBS channel.
Col Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the act of killing was necessary, backing up a police statement that the soldier who shot Chaiyapoom acted in self-defence after 2,800 methamphetamine pills were allegedly found hidden in a car Chaiyapoom was riding in.
Commenting on the incident, Brad AdamsChaiyapoom Pasae, a 17-year-old member of the Lahu ethnic minority
Doubts
After the killing, authorities quickly defended the soldier who shot Chaiyapoom. The army report alleges that Chaiyapoom tried to break away from custody after soldiers arrested him and Pongsanai Saengtala, 19, the driver of the car in which the authorities allegedly found 2,800 methamphetamine pills.
After the young activist hid in a nearby bush and attempted to throw a grenade at the soldiers who followed him, one of the soldiers shot him dead with a single shot in self defence, the NCPO spokesperson told the press.
Currently Pongsanai, who directly witnessed the incident, is detained at Chiang Mai Prison. The court demanded two million baht as surety for the bail request from his family, who did not have enough money.
But in an interview that Thai PBS broadcasted on 21 March 2017Facebook account that Chaiyapoom was killed at a permanent checkpoint that drug traffickers would probably avoid.
It would not make much sense for Chaiyapoom and Pongsanai to choose to take that route if they were trafficking drugs.
A police officer inspecting the body of Chaiyapoom after he was killed
(Photo from TNN News )
Recurring nightmares
Chaiyapoom Pasae
According to the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF)Justice yet to be answered
Sila Jahae, the President of the Lahu Association who has been active in fighting for justice for the Lahu and other hill minorities. He himself suffered from torture and arbitrary detention in the hands of state authorities in 2003
'A Comb and a Buckle' a short film produced by Chaiyapoom to promote the rights of ethnic minorities in Thailand which was shown on the Thai PBS channel
prachatai.comComment
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Daniel Maxwell
31st March 2017
Chaiyaphum Pasae, ethnic rights activist, was killed during a drug bust.
Source: @FrontLineHRD.eyewitness who said in a television interview that a group of soldiers physically assaulted Chaiyaphum at the checkpoint, and as the teenager attempted to escape he was shot by one of the soldiers.
According to the witness:Thai PBSHuman Rights Watchorder a probereceived silent threats.
The witness, who was a friend of Chaiyaphum, told the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) he found a bullet in front of his house on Wednesday night. It is understood the individual has now sought witness protection, and NHRC claims that other community members are now too scared to discuss the incident with investigators.
#NHRC Angkana visited Maitree #HRDs #Indigenous who seeking justice for Chaiyaphum Pasae & received the death threats @ProtectionInt pic.twitter.com/fDN7r022PPMarch 25, 2017
In a bid to determine exactly what happened, a campaign calling on the authorities to release CCTV footage from the checkpoint has been launched on the petition website Change.orgComment
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Lawyer Seeks Autopsy Results, Video in Case of Slain Lahu Activist
Sasiwan Mokkhasen
April 4, 2017
A photo obtained by the Facebook page Citizen against Single Gateway shows Chaiyaphum Pasae standing next to a soldier while he searched his car.
Photo: Citizens Against Single Gateway / Facebook
BANGKOKarmy claimed a soldier shot him to death in self-defense last month because he resisted arrest and attempted to throw a hand grenade when officers pursued.
The results were sent to the police Wednesday but have yet to be made public. A death certificate issued by the hospital on March 18, one day after his death, said the 21 year old died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to an image of the document published by TNN24 report.
Witnesses said said Chaiyaphum was shot as he attempted to flee a severe beating.
A photo obtained by Facebook page Citizens Against Single Gateway questioned why Chaiyaphum Pasae appeared to have such extensive wounds to his body after he was allegedly shot just once.
Photo: Citizens Against Single Gateway / FacebookComment
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Thailand : Summary killings common in the land of smiles
Summary killings common in the land of smiles
Kongpob Areerat
Wed, 05/04/2017
Not even a month after the summary killing of Chaiyapoom Pasae, a 17-year-old Lahu activist, on 17 March 2017, paramilitary officers and soldiers shot dead two insurgent suspects in the restive Deep South. The authorities claimed that the two resisted arrest and exchanged gunfire with the officers. However, the sister of one of the slain insurgent suspects said they were unarmed and shot point blank after they were asked to step out of their car.
Summary or extrajudicial killing is a common crime committed by security officers in Thailand because of the deeply rooted culture of impunity which allows the killers to walk free. During the first three months of 2003, an average of about 30 people were killed each day after Thaksin Shinawatra, the then Prime Minister, launched an all-out war on drugs. In total, about 2,800 people were summarily killed and many more suspected of drug abuse or trafficking allegedly suffered torture by paramilitary troops or police officers. More than a decade has passed, but not a single security officer has been prosecuted or arrested.
Prachatai has selected examples of summary killings. In most cases, the calls for justice from the families of the victims have yet to be answered.
See larger image click here
Kiettisak Thitboonkrong, 17
Alleged crime: stealing a motorcycle
Cause of death: Five police officers tortured and strangled him to death in July 2004.
Case update: The criminal court found five police officers guilty of the killing. Three were sentenced to death for premeditated murder and hiding a corpse. One was sentenced to life imprisonment while another seven years imprisonment.
Furakon Mama3 Maman children, aged between 6-11 years old
Alleged crime: None
Cause of death: Paramilitary officers in the Deep Southern province of Narathiwat shot them dead on 3 February 2014.
Case update: Despite the fact that one of the officers confessed of the killing to revenge the father of the children, Narathiwat Provincial Court on 26 January 2015 dismissed charges against him and the accomplisher, reasoning that no concrete evidence could prove that the two are guilty.
Tung Yang Daeng killing: four men killed
Alleged crime: Deep South insurgent suspects
Cause of death: Seven soldiers in Tung Yang Daeng District of the Deep Southern province of Pattani shot them dead on 25 March 2015.
Case update: under investigation
Don Daengchantip, 34
Alleged crime: gambling and punching a police officer
Cause of death: He was beaten by police officers from Sutthisan Police Station in Bangkok on 3 November 2016.
Case update: under investigation
Abea Sea-moo, 32, Lisu hill tribe
Alleged crime: drug trafficking
Cause of death: He was summarily killed on 15 February 2017 by soldiers in Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai. The soldiers claimed that Abea tried to throw a grenade at them after he was arrested under drug suspicion.
Case update: under investigation
Chaiyapoom Pasae, 17-year-old Lahu activist
Alleged crime: drug trafficking
Cause of death: He was shot dead on 17 March 2017 by a soldier close to a checkpoint in in Chiang Dao District in Chiang Mai , who claimed that he attempt to throw a grenade at soldiers who tried to recapture him.
Case update: Under investigation
prachatai.comComment
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Military withholds CCTV footage of Lahu activist killing
Wed, 19/04/2017
After a month of the summary killing of the young Lahu activist by a soldier, the police have revealed that the military has not sent the CCTV footage of the crime scene to them yet.
On 17 April 2017, Pol Col Mongkol Sumpawaphon revealed to the BBC ThaiThai PBS broadcast on 21 March 2017, an anonymous source said that Chaiyapoom was dragged out of the car and beaten by soldiers before he was killed near a checkpoint in Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai.
Chaiyapoom was a well-known activist from the Young Seedlings Network Camp in Chiang Dao District.
He was involved in numerous campaigns to promote the rights of ethnic Lahu and other vulnerable ethnic minorities in northern Thailand to gain citizenship, health care, and access to education.
He also spoke out against abuses by the Thai security forces against his community during anti-drug operations.
A police officer inspecting the body of Chaiyapoom
(Photo from TNN News)
prachatai.orgComment
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Relatives of Lahu activist killed by soldier reportedly intimidatedThai PBS on 21 March 2017, an anonymous source said that Chaiyapoom was dragged out of the car and beaten by soldiers before being killed near a checkpoint in Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai.
Chaiyapoom was a well-known activist from the Young Seedlings Network Camp in Chiang Dao District. He was involved in numerous campaigns to promote the rights of ethnic Lahu and other vulnerable ethnic minorities in northern Thailand to gain citizenship, health care, and access to education. He also spoke out against abuses by the Thai security forces against his community during anti-drug operations.
Representatives of the network calling for protection of relatives of a young Lahu activist announced the joint statement at Chiang Mai University on 24 April 2017
prachatai.comComment
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ASEAN MPs concerned about safety of minority rights defenders more than a month after killing of activist in Thailand
ASEAN MPs concerned about safety of minority rights defenders more than a month after killing of activist in Thailand
JAKARTA,Comment
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Sasiwan Mokkhasen
May 17, 2017
A memorial board with images of Chaiyaphum Pasae on Wednesday in Chiang Mai province.
BANGKOKthreatening messages
Comment
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Police arrest relatives of slain Lahu activist
Mon, 29/05/2017
Police have raided the village of a murdered Lahu activist and arrested several of his family members in an alleged drug crackdown.
On 29 May 2017, policemen and officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau arrested five people from Ban Kong Pak Ping in the Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai.
Among the five, is Chanthana Pasae, 20, a relative of Chaiyapoom PasaePol Lt Gen Poolsap Prasertsak talking to a villager of during a raid on ethnic minority communities in Chiang Mai on 29 May 2017
(Photo from Matichon Online)
prachatai.orgComment
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Court begins trial of slain Lahu activist
Tue, 05/09/2017
As a provincial court began the hearing on the case of the summary killing of a young Lahu activist by a soldier, the lawyer of the slain activist family said the prime evidence on the case might still be withheld by the military.
On 4 September 2017, the Provincial Court of Chiang Rai Province held the first hearing on the case of Chaiyapoom Pasae, a young ethnic Lahu activist who was summarily killed by a soldier on 17 March, according to the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF)BBC Thai that The police submitted a request to the military for the footage. However, the military unit whose personnel is responsible for the killing did not sent it to the police investigator.
On the same day, the court postponed the hearing on the case of Abea Sea-moo, a Lisu hill tribe was also summarily killed on 15 February 2017 by soldiers in Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai. The soldiers claimed that Abea tried to throw a grenade at them after he was arrested under drug suspicion.
The witness hearings were postponed to 21, 22, and 26 December 2017 as the prosecutor and the family of the victim listed many witnesses to testify on the case.
Chaiyapoom Pasae, a young member of the Lahu ethnic minority
prachatai.com
Comment
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Opinion
Activist death still a mystery
16 Sep 2017
Almost six months after young Lahu activist Chaiyapoom Pasae was shot dead at a checkpoint in Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district, the case remains a mystery.
Seventeen-year-old Chaiyapoom, who was president of the Northern Traditional Plant Preservation Network, was travelling with a friend in the morning of March 17 to Chiang Mai's Muang district when he encountered a checkpoint, manned by soldiers, just 10km from their home in Ban Kong Phak Ping village in Chiang Dao. The soldiers stopped his car and during the search allegedly found some amphetamine pills in the vehicle.
The soldiers claimed the young activist brandished a hand grenade as he tried to flee from the spot. That prompted one soldier to fire a single shot which killed him instantly. Chaiyapoom's friend, also a young Lahu man, was put behind bars. According to the authorities, the pills numbered more than 2,000.
The extra-judicial killing in broad daylight sparked an uproar.
A number of human rights advocacy groups came out to demand the truth in the case which reminded the public of the "war on drugs" ordered by then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that killed more than 2,200 in 2003. Many were innocent victims.
Right after the tragic death, some cabinet ministers made an attempt to defend the soldier who gunned down Chaiyapoom. Given that there was no solid evidence to prove the allegation that the young activist possessed drug and arms, the move further fuelled public anger. Yet, the authorities repeatedly claimed they had footage from CCTV that captured the moment when the shooting took place. But they refused to release it to the public.
The public uproar prompted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to order a probe which to date has seen no progress with the case seeming to disappear into thin air.
A previous claim by the authorities that they had access to Chaiyapoom's bank account which showed a questionable amount of money the slain activist allegedly made from selling drugs has never been clearly verified. Even the prime evidence, the CCTV footage in question, remains a secret. Shortly after the killing, the authorities involved claimed they had seen the footage but refused to show it for fear it might affect the investigation. Such a claim was dubious in the extreme.
Then in May, the police said the military handed them a computer CPU that was supposed to contain a file of the footage, yet they dared not open it, and instead decided to forward it to the Department of Forensic Science to verify it. We have not heard about the footage since.
Despite the lack of evidence to prove Chaiyapoom's alleged wrongdoing, the authorities have relentlessly pursued accusations against the activist's two relatives, trying to establish a link between them and illicit drugs. They received arrest warrants, and earlier this week, were summoned to court.
Several of Chaiyapoom's neighbours in Ban Kong Phak Ping village in Chiang Dao district, mostly of the Lahu ethnic minority group, complained of house raids searching for drugs in a move that many see as state intimidation. Given that several of them are stateless, they have no legal rights to protect them. Shortly before Chaiyapoom was slain, a young ethnic villager was killed in a similar manner. He was accused of possessing drugs -- a charge against which he had no chance to protect his name or life.
It's a shame that some six months on, this case is still clouded in mystery. The failure on the part of state authorities to produce evidence in the long-overdue case is not acceptable. Unless the truth comes out, public trust in the state will erode.
The authorities must be aware that they owe the public an explanation over the case which threatens to bruise the country's human rights record further.
On top of that, the state has an obligation to bring justice to Chaiyapoom and his family.
bangkokpost.comComment
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Lahu activist Chaiyaphum remembered at Chiang Mai ceremony
Pratch Rujivanarom
March 17, 2018
Friends and colleagues of Lahu activist Chaiyaphum Pasae gathered at a remembrance ceremony on the first anniversary of his death on Saturday morning.Comment
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