Bangkok: Ms. Thananya, the sister of the deceased former Superintendent Joe, met with Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, the Minister of Justice, to submit a letter requesting a thorough investigation into her brother’s death in prison. She expressed gratitude towards the agencies involved for their assistance and left the meeting with renewed confidence that justice would be served for her family. Pol. Col. Thawee, along with the Director-General of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, acknowledged the case and assured Ms. Thananya that urgent investigations were underway. An update meeting is scheduled for March 17.
According to Thai News Agency, before accepting the case, Pol. Col. Thawee addressed questions from reporters regarding the conditions of former Superintendent Joe’s detention. He clarified that Joe was not in solitary confinement but in a room typically accommodating 4-5 inmates, which he occupied alone. Despite this, Joe was able to engage in daily activities and had visited family the day prior to the incident. The delay in assistance was attributed to the prison’s vast size and the need to obtain keys from an external building.
Pol. Col. Thawee further explained that a previous statement about Joe’s mental health was based on a misunderstanding of documents from the Ministry of Justice. It was clarified that Joe suffered from anxiety rather than a more severe mental illness.
The Justice Minister also addressed allegations regarding a Corrections Department official’s call to Joe’s family urging them to withdraw an assault complaint. He confirmed an ongoing investigation into the matter, as such actions could constitute a serious disciplinary breach. Officials present during the incident are being questioned. Additionally, the issue of towel sizes given to prisoners was clarified, ensuring that they were funded by the Corrections Department and accurately measured.
Pol. Col. Thawee reiterated his request for a transparent investigation involving police, prosecutors, and related agencies. He emphasized the importance of aligning prison regulations with human rights and legal principles, signaling a potential review of existing policies by the Corrections Department Director-General.