Thai royal slur culprit dies in jail
Print Edition
A POLICEMAN who was under investigation as part of a high-profile royal insult probe has died in custody after he hanged himself in his cell, Thailand’s justice minister said yesterday.
Police Major Prakrom Warunprapa had been jailed by a court last Wednesday along with two other people as part of a probe into a group of people who allegedly falsely claimed ties to the monarchy for personal benefit.
The other two charged are Suriyan Sujaritpalawong, a well-known fortune teller, and his assistant, Jirawong Wattanathewasilp.
Prakrom hanged himself in his cell on Friday and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital, Paiboon Koomchaya revealed.
“It would appear that the suspect hung himself. The jailed person was found dead in his cell and authorities tried to revive him,” the justice minister said. “Right now we are doing the autopsy. Whatever the result we will have to accept it because this is a high-profile case.”
Thailand has the world’s harshest lese-majeste law which makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, and heir to the throne. Under Article 112 of the criminal code, those convicted of insulting the monarchy face up to 15 years in jail for each offense.
The investigation comes at a time of heightened anxiety over the health of 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is convalescing at a Bangkok hospital after being treated by doctors for ‘water on the brain’. His frail health has added to the political uncertainty surrounding Thailand since a 2014 coup.
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