For over 20 years, the tragic fate of Somchai Neelapaijit, a distinguished Thai human rights lawyer, remains cloaked in mystery, as nine successive prime ministers have failed to deliver justice. Somchai was last seen on March 12, 2004, in Bangkok, where evidence pointed to a group of police officers who reportedly acted out of revenge for his legal battles against police brutality towards Muslim individuals in the conflict-ridden southern regions of Thailand.
In January 2006, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra acknowledged the case, revealing that the Department of Special Investigation was contemplating murder charges and indicated knowledge of Somchai’s likely death. He asserted that numerous police officers were implicated. However, a significant setback occurred in December 2015 when the Supreme Court acquitted five officers, frustrating hopes for justice and preventing Somchai’s family from pursuing legal recourse, citing a lack of evidence regarding his death or incapacitation.
Despite Thailand’s commitment to the United Nations International Convention against Enforced Disappearance and the introduction of domestic legislation in 2023 to combat such injustices, there has been no real effort from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration to resolve Somchai’s case. This reluctance to address enforced disappearances extends beyond Somchai, with the UN currently recording 77 unresolved cases in Thailand.
Angkhana Neelapaijit, Somchai’s wife and chairperson of the Senate Human Rights Committee, has reported attempts by Thai authorities to pressure families into withdrawing their cases from the UN working group. This manipulation appears aimed at polishing Thailand’s image following its election to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2025-2027. Nonetheless, efforts to silence victims’ families will not erase their demand for justice; the government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to unearth the truth behind these disappearances and hold accountable those responsible.
Somchai Neelapaijit, a Thai human rights lawyer who disappeared in 2004, remains unaccounted for, with nine prime ministers failing to ensure justice. Although evidence implicated police, in 2015, an acquittal barred his family from pursuing the case. Despite Thailand’s stated commitment to combat enforced disappearances, recent actions suggest a lack of political will to resolve Somchai’s and many other cases, with families facing pressure to withdraw complaints.
The unresolved disappearance of Somchai Neelapaijit reflects a broader systemic failure to address enforced disappearances in Thailand. Despite family and advocates pursuing justice, political inaction and recent attempts to dissuade families from seeking help demonstrate a troubling disregard for human rights. A commitment to uncovering the truth and holding perpetrators accountable is essential to restoring faith in Thailand’s justice system.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
