Page 30 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand
P. 30
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Two men
Father and brother of a murdered couple
Ban Tab Sadao, Nakorn Ratchasima province
Voice
“We wish to see a Two family members of a murdered couple from Ban Tab Sadao, Nakorn Ratchasima province,
government discuss what the rights to life, liberty and security of person means to them. They explain that
their family’s problems began after the murdered couple won the state lottery. With their
agency to provide winnings, the couple decided to build a new house and purchase a new vehicle. However, this
us with answers sudden windfall aroused suspicions that the marked improvement in the couple’s financial
situation was due to illegal activity and not from the lottery. The couple was shot and killed early
and see that one morning while driving home from shopping.
justice is served” They explain that before their deaths, family members reported that the couple claimed to have
heard rumours that they had been put on some kind of list of suspects, having been suspected
of involvement in illegal drug activity because of the rapid improvement in their financial
situation. After hearing this rumour and fearing for their lives, the family members explain that
the wife went to police officials to show them evidence of the lottery win as proof that their
fortune had not been gained through any alleged involvement with drugs. They report,
however, that the police officials did not take her seriously. The family members go on to claim
that although they were afraid of the rumours surrounding their circumstances, the couple did
not take any particular security precautions or leave town because they believed they were safe
in their innocence.
After the couple was killed, their family members questioned their deaths and wondered why
the state had not helped them. Moreover, following their deaths, the family reports to have
received visits from police officials with a warrant to investigate a drug-related offence.
On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
family of the deceased couple express their hope to see a government agency to provide them
with answers about who killed their loved ones, as they want to ensure that the wrongdoers are
punished and justice is served.
18 Dignity and Justice for All of Us
