After the tragic rape and murder of a girl who was discarded from a moving train shocked the nation this morning, rail officials sought to reassure the public today as authorities released the cause of her death.
Kochakorn “Kaem” Pitakjumnong, 13, died of a skull fracture after she was thrown from a Bangkok-bound train after being raped by a rail worker early Monday morning, according to the autopsy report released this afternoon. Her body was found early this morning.
Officials with the State Railway of Thailand blamed understaffing for an unsafe environment and promised new safety measures, such as installing security cameras on some trains and banning alcohol sales.
Police said Wanchai Saengkao, a contracted employee, has confessed to the crime. So far, no one has yet publicly identified the company which hired Wanchai.
In addition to banning alcohol sales, a move previously called for by activists, state railway Gov. Prapat Chongsanguan said drunk passengers will be forced to get off at the train.
CCTVs will be installed on new trains, but Prapat said they’ll have to figure out what to do with all the older trains, which lack sufficient voltage to support the cameras.
Prapat admitted security has been more lax as the railway is short of staff. He said the Royal Thai Police will be asked to send more officers to guard train stations.
The railway will reconsider whether to renew the contract of the private company which hired Wanchai. That company has not been publicly identified, but it has reportedly been sending workers to SRT for over 10 years, Kapook reported.
Photo: Pantip
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