Thai military under pressure to explain cadet’s death

BANGKOK: The military faced mounting pressure on Friday to explain the death of a teenage army cadet, whose case has seized national attention after his parents discovered his organs were removed from his body.

The army said first-year cadet Pakapong Tanyakan died of heart failure late last month at his army training school outside the capital.

But, his family was sceptical and ordered a second autopsy only to find their son’s brain, heart, bladder and stomach were missing.

The shocking discovery sparked public outcry and accusations of a cover-up by a military trailed by allegations of beatings and other abuse against young recruits that can turn fatal.

The army has continued to deny foul play in Pakapong’s case, saying doctors removed his organs for inspection and were not required to inform his family.

The case has unleashed an outpouring of grievances online, with netizens calling for an end to corporal punishment in the military.

“My son wanted to be a soldier but after seeing this news, he lost his confidence,” Bumbim Kanyaplak posted on Facebook.

Pakapong’s family said he had described physical abuse throughout his time at the school, including a hazing exercise that led him to faint in August. He also described being punched in the stomach in a diary entry in May.

The military runs an annual draft that brings 100,000 men into the armed forces every year. AFP