The brutal attempted rape and murder of a teacher in Saraburi has created outrage among Thai citizens, including sparking a social media campaign asking that rapists be put to death. Today the online call was denied by junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Apparently, Prayuth disagrees with the death penalty for rape charges. In response to the social media outcry, he said that severe punishments can’t prevent rape.
“Look at what the rest of the world does. Don’t just assume things,” Prayuth responded to reporters at the Government House today, “Human rights were the reason other countries have banned capital punishment. Thailand has had three death sentences, but that didn’t fix anything.”
Those who have been moved by the case of murder victim Chularat “Iew” Towanna, 26, a teacher in Saraburi, have taken to social media requesting the death sentence for rapists, including Chatri Ruamsoongnern, 27, the suspect in this case.
After confessing to the teacher’s murder on Saturday, he’s been charged with premeditated murder, which is punishable by death according to the Criminal Code. Since he claims that he did not actually rape her, any charges related to that crime are pending further investigation.
Online comments included, “My vote for a death sentence for him,” “Raping = Death sentence. Or do we have to wait until more people become victims?” and “RIP Iew,” reported Bangkok Post.
Prayuth made the point that many other countries have stopped using capital punishment and that fear of the death penalty might not be enough to stop criminals.
Though rape and murder are more common than they should be in Thailand and worldwide, the case of Chularat seems to have struck very close to Thai people’s hearts. Maybe it’s because she was a schoolteacher who wanted to help children, maybe it was because she was innocently sleeping in her own room when she was attacked, or it was not the first time the suspect had committed an alleged rape. In fact, Chatri had only been released from jail 10 months earlier for another rape.
In his last case, Chatri raped his friend’s wife and spent 18 months in jail before getting a royal pardon. According to investigators, there was also another rape charge earlier than that, though no details have been revealed.
Chatri reportedly confessed to Chularat’s murder for the first time on Saturday to police in Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi after he was arrested.
He said that he killed Chularat because she fought back against his attempted rape and called for help after he broke into her room, which was across the hall from the suspect’s room and, apparently, had a broken lock on the door.
On Monday, Permanent Secretary for Justice Korbkiat Kasiwiwat said that, if found guilty, Chatri can’t receive another royal pardon because he committed the same crime within five years.
Since his confession, police tried on both Sunday and Monday to bring Chatri back to the apartment building to re-enact the crime but because of angry mobs gathered at the building each time, they were forced to cancel the procedure because it was too dangerous.
Police Lt. Gen. Chaiwat Ketworachai, Provincial Police Region 1 Chief, said that he will let Saraburi Police Chief Maj. Gen. Thiti Saengsawang decide when to hold the re-enactment for optimal safety conditions.
Chatri will be kept in solitary confinement so that he will not be attacked by other inmates.
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Suspect of brutal murder and attempted rape of teacher brought to chaotic re-enactment
