Dead inmate’s kin demand justice over ‘beating’
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Family members of a drug inmate who died behind bars in Phangnga province suspect he was beaten at the jail, and have vowed not to cremate his body until justice is served.
Autopsy results on Suriya Suparak, 47, of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Ron Phibun district, showed several bruises on his body, leading his relatives to believe that he was beaten while in prison at Takua Pa district in Phangnga.
The relatives said they were not convinced by prison officials’ claims that Suriya died after passing out while working.
Suriya’s relatives sent his body to Surat Thani’s forensic institute for a post-mortem examination which found severe bruising on his body.
Suriya’s brother, Veerayut Suparak, 48, said Suriya had been behind bars for four years, after being arrested in Krabi on a drug charge. He had only one year left to serve when he died.
“I’m not convinced my brother passed out and died. I told police investigating the case that it is more likely Suriya was murdered,” Mr Veerayut said.
“The officers sent his body for an autopsy at the forensic institute in Surat Thani province. Forensic doctors told us Suriya suffered three broken ribs, a ruptured liver, a swollen brain and severe bruises caused by hard objects.
“This suggests Suriya was beaten to death.”
His relatives yesterday took the body to Wat Thaloengkitiyaram in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Ron Phibun district for religious rites.
His father Boonyuen Suparak, 74, and other relatives said they would not cremate the body until authorities had brought the culprits to justice. They want those involved in the alleged assault on the inmate to face legal action. They believe more than two people were involved.
Mr Boonyuen said he would file a complaint with all agencies concerned to seek justice for his son.
Meanwhile, narcotics suppression police have arrested three members of a family on a charge of drug trafficking on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province.
The suspects were identified as Nanthawut, 59, Kamonchanok, 42, and Sathaporn, 27, from the Chantarupan family. Police said they were arrested on Wednesday at 9.30pm at a checkpoint while transporting about 50,000 methamphetamine pills in a pickup truck.