Somchai Neelapaichit has been missing since 12 March 2004

Unfortunately, this discussion was held in Bangkok and we were back in Chiang Mai so we couldn't go. But it sounds like something a lot of people should know more about. Didn't I read something about the Thai Army Chief denying that there were any American torture prisons in Thailand recently?

Working Group on Justice for Peace presents

On the 5th Anniversary of the Disappearance of Somchai Neelapaichit
A Panel Discussion

Wednesday, March 11, at 8:00 pm
No cover charge
(including screening of the documentary film 'Human Rights' at 7:15 pm)

Somchai Neelapaichit has been missing since 12 March 2004, when he was last seen in Bangkok being forced into a car by a group of men. He was Chairman of the Muslim Lawyers Association and Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of Thailand at the time of his disappearance, when he was also representing five Muslims accused of terrorism-related activities in the Southern provinces. Five years on, the investigation into the circumstances of his enforced disappearance remains incomplete and the whereabouts of his body is still unknown. His wife and four children remain in the dark as to what happened.

On 12 January 2006, the Criminal Court convicted a senior police officer of coercion and assault – but not of the enforced disappearance itself – and was sentenced to three years imprisonment despite evidence presented at trial indicating that a more serious crime was committed. The police officer was released on bail pending his appeal, which is still outstanding.

The fifth anniversary of a person's disappearance takes on particular significance in Thailand as at this point the person is considered legally dead under civil law. The series of events commemorating Somchai Neelapaichit's disappearance will highlight the continual pursuit of truth and justice of this particular case, underscore the abhorrent nature of enforced disappearances, and represent public and high-profile efforts at seeking justice for an emblematic case in the fight against impunity in Thailand.

Speakers will be:

- Mrs. Angkhana Neelapaichit
- Kraisak Choonhavan
- Justice Elizabeth Evatt

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Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand
Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building
518/5 Ploenchit Road (connected to the BTS Skytrain Chitlom station)
Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02-652-0580-1
Fax: 02-652-0582

E-mail: info@fccthai.com
Web Site: http://www.fccthai.com

Thanks to the person who sent me the email.