SURAT THANI - The corporal in charge at Vibhavadi Rangsit Military Camp in Muang district on Saturday night has denied any physical abuse of conscripts under his watch, following the death of 21-year-old Pvt Noppadol Worakitpan.
Pvt Noppadol, known to his friends as Taro, returned home on Saturday night in company with two other conscripts and complained of feeling retired. He was shortly afterwards found unconscious in his bedroom with blood leaking from his nose and mouth, and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Pvt Noppadol Worakitpan. (Photo from Supapong Chaolan)
The family suspected he was beaten at the camp and lodged a complaint with police. According to the family, they were told by the two conscripts that Pvt Noppadol had been punished.
His death follows that of another conscript, Pvt Yutthakinan Boonniam, who was allegedly beaten to death in April while being detained at the 45th Military Circle prison. Eleven army officers in the barracks were later charged in the military court. The case is still pending.
Cpl Thanakorn Srisook, who was in charge of Pvt Noppadol on Saturday night, said all the conscripts were present during a headcount and all were dismissed at 9 pm, their bed time, according to Thai media reports.
He said he did not physically abuse any of them. They had been ordered to do a 10 minute of push-up routine.
Pol Col Wichob Kerdkliang, deputy commander of Surat Thani police, said the two conscripts who accompanied Pvt Noppadol home claimed they left the camp to attend a big-bike show in Tha Chana district.
They had dropped by Pvt Noppadol’s house to change their clothes before he was found unconscious and rushed to hospital.
Pol Col Wichob said the conscript's body would be sent for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
An initial medical report suggested he had a ruptured spleen.
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