Thai prisoner demands justice after fellow inmates raped him in prison

A Thai prisoner called on the Thai Bar Council under royal patronage to help him seek justice after two fellow inmates made him take a sleeping pill and raped him. The incident resulted in the victim making several suicide attempts.

The story attracted public interest after a Thai lawyer, Nitithorn Kaewto, shared it on Facebook yesterday, July 10. According to the lawyer, the sexual assault occurred on January 7 at Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok.

The two alleged rapists mixed a sleeping pill into a coffee and made the victim drink it. They then abused him at night, as the three were locked in the same cell, separated from the rest of the prisoners.

The rape was reported to a prison guard, who filed a complaint with Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station on behalf of the imprisoned victim. However, the case came to nothing.

The victim attempted to end his life several times because other inmates later found out about the sexual assault and harassed him. Fortunately, prison guards intervened in time to prevent his suicide attempts.

The victim decided to seek help from the Bar Council by submitting a document to it in April. After review by the Council Chairman and the Subcommittee on Human Rights, a team of lawyers was formed to assist the victim.

The legal team recently met with officers from Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station to pursue the case further. Police claimed that a shortage of officers caused the delay. However, prison guards had already punished the alleged rapists after the incident.

The legal team planned to contact the relevant authorities to rehabilitate the victim and take measures to prevent bullying in prison.

The lawyer pointed out a suspicious element in the case, asking where the alleged rapists got the sleeping pill and whether it was actually a sleeping pill or some other drug.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour helpline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Helpline on 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you are experiencing feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.

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