Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, the former main of Kaeng Krachan National Park, and three other defendants on Monday pleaded not guilty in the case introduced against them in court in connection with the particular disappearance and murder of a Karen rights activist back in 2014.
The other three defendants billed over their supposed involvement in the disappearance and death associated with Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen are Bunthaen Butsarakham, Thanaset Chaemthet and Kritsanaphong Chitthet.
The costs include premeditated murder, criminal intimidation making use of weapons, unlawful detention and concealing the corpse.
Billy was final seen on April 17, 2014, when he was detained by Mr Chaiwat and several other park officers at Ma Rew checkpoint within the park, which is situated at the main entrance to Bang Kloy village.
As the four defendants had all pleaded not guilty, the test by the Central Unlawful Court for Problem and Misconduct Situations is now set to begin on Dec 26 with the court’s inspection of the lists associated with evidence and witnesses submitted in this case.
A demand by Pinnapa Prueksapan, wife of Porlajee, on behalf of her two children for them to become co-plaintiffs was also given the green light by the court last night, to which the 4 defendants didn’t item.
Since biological children of Porlajee, the two hold the right to handle the particular lawsuit on behalf of their late father, stated the judge.
Before this particular case made it to court, the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) actually a new lot of difficulties in finding evidence with which to develop a case to prosecute.
Within 2019, a DSI report was rejected by the OAG for not providing sufficient proof to prove that will Billy was murdered.
During the time, the OAG viewed the mitochondrial DNA test — which was used to prove the human head found in a drum discovered under a bridge in Kaeng Krachan Recreation area was in fact, Billy’s — as hard to rely on.
After more supporting proof was submitted from the DSI, the OAG on Aug 15 agreed to have the 4 suspects arraigned and charged.