Page 56 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand
P. 56
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Father of a man charged with
illegal drug distribution
Voice
“Only when there is a The father of a man charged with the distribution and sale of illegal drugs in 2003 describes a
reasonable suspicion case involving his son and a friend, who were reportedly driving to collect their high school
diplomas. “My son and his friend were driving my car when they stopped at a traffic light. Two
can there be a basis men on a motorcycle approached them, pointed a gun at them and tried to get into the car. My
for an arrest” son and his friend drove away and the two men started shooting. My son was shot in his arm
and leg and his friend was shot in his spine and became disabled,” he said. After they were
discharged from the hospital, the two friends were reportedly arrested, accused and charged of
possession and intention to sell amphetamines.
“Prior to this incident, I understood the need to take action against drug trafficking in the
country, but now I have realized that without solid legal guarantees, everyone can be caught in
the middle – even if there are no solid grounds to believe the person is actually involved in drug
trafficking,” he says. The father believes that because the two boys did not have prior criminal
records, there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that there was reasonable
suspicion against them and thus their detention was not warranted. “Only when there is a
reasonable suspicion can there be a basis for an arrest; otherwise I believe it is arbitrary. I have
filed a complaint to the Royal Thai Police Bureau, and I am ready to fight for justice,” he states.
The National Counter Corruption Commission dispatched a letter on 30 June 2008 notifying
him that the matter is now up for consideration.
44 Dignity and Justice for All of Us
