Two horror stories from the justice system point once again the urgent need for intervention and reform. Two men are dead in separate incidents. Corrections officials admit that a prisoner in the Samut Prakan Central Prison was horrifically beaten in a "discipline session" shortly before his death was reported. In Buri Ram, meanwhile, a man arrested for poaching -- and denied bail -- died from what medical examiners said were spleen injuries and "massive" blood loss.
In an unfortunately predictable failure of responsibility, the officers present at the two deaths told stories at wild variance with the evidence. When accused poacher Jamnong Kroaking, 39, died in the Buri Ram incident, police said his death was caused by his heavy drinking and loss of appetite. Forensic examination at Buri Ram Hospital and an autopsy at Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen said that was nonsense. They found Jamnong died as a direct result of physical assault.
The Jamnong death took place after he was arrested in possession of pelts and more than 500 kilogrammes of carcasses of wild gaur. He was detained inside the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. He and another man were in police custody. Naturally, since he was not a person of means, Jamnong was unable to get bail. Police in Buri Ram have so far not provided the public with details of Jamnong's death beyond the incredible claim that it was due to excessive drinking.
