Northern Thailand

Senior Court Judge Dead after Commits Suicide a Second Time

Judge Khanakorn Pianchana posted a letter on his Facebook page on Saturday before shooting himself at his house in Chiang Mai. The Judge also wrote about the consequences of his first suicide bid in court last year.

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2020

Bchcomber

A senior court judge who shot himself in a courtroom in southern Thailand has committed suicide in northern Thailand. Judge Khanakorn Pianchana, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Saturday morning in Chiang Mai.

Khanakorn previously served as a senior judge at the Yala provincial court.

Chiang Mai Police said he shot himself in the heart in his house in Doi Saket district in Chiang Mai. His wife and their daughter were out at the time of his suicide. When his wife returned, she found him badly wounded.

She called an ambulance and he was sent to Doi Saket Hospital and later transferred to McCormick Hospital Chiang Mai. Doctors tried in vain to save his life and the judge died at 10.45am. His body will be sent to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Judge posted a letter on his Facebook Page

Before committing suicide , Judge Khanakorn posted a two-page farewell letter on his Facebook page.

In his post he insisted his act in October was motivated by a sincere desire to return justice to the people. “I do not regret it and I’m proud of being part of administering justice for the Thai people.” The post read.

The judge also mentioned what he viewed as a structural problem with the judicial system.

“In the past, we had the 1997 constitution written by the CDC. People and academics admit it was the most democratic charter the country had ever had.” He referred to the constitution written by the 99-member Constitution Drafting Council set up in 1996. It comprised of 76 indirectly elected members and 23 academics.

“You may wonder why, when the charter was in effect, reviewing a ruling at the first-court level was not allowed. Why is that? Could it be that the drafters knew such a review could pave the way for interference in a ruling by regional court presidents?

“Let me ask my friends and fellow countrymen: Do you find an evil intention in what I had done? Which led to disciplinary and criminal action against me? A reply in your heart is enough. As for me, I knew from the start. It’s a pity you are not my judge.”

On Oct 4, the judge shot himself in a Yala courtroom after reading a ruling on a case involving a violent incident in the Deep South.

Judge Khanakorn posted a 25-page statement on Facebook on the same day. He explained that he had acquitted five suspects against the advice of more senior judges. Judges who had reviewed the case and in full knowledge of the consequences to his career.

Letter to the people about Thailand’s Judiciary

judge shot himself

The statement included the messages “Return the ruling to the judges” and “Return justice to the people.” Sparking a controversy about the country’s judicial system.

Three days later, the Judicial Commission set up a three-member panel. One judge from each tier of courts, to investigate his case. After the findings, the Judicial Commission in November voted to set up another panel to consider disciplinary action against him. Judge Khanakorn was transferred to a temporary position in his hometown Chiang Mai.

The commission also appointed a subcommittee to study and improve the criteria, guidelines and methods of checking draft rulings. Above all to find measures preventing a repeat of such an incident.

Judge Khanakorn also gave a bank account number and asked for donations from the public for his daughter’s scholarship. The Judge posted the message before shooting himself at his house in Chiang Mai.

He also wrote about the consequences of his first suicide bid in court last year.

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

Published

4 months ago

July 16, 2024

Thomas3940

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Published

4 months ago

July 15, 2024

Thomas3940

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Published

4 months ago

July 10, 2024

Bchcomber

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province.

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.