No proof Billy still under detention, Appeals Court says upholding ruling

Then-Kaeng Krachan National Park head Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn had claimed that Billy was detained briefly on April 17 for the possession of “illegal wild honey” and released soon after. However, the activist has not been seen or heard from since. 

Billy’s family filed a missing persons report the following day and submitted a petition with the provincial court to launch an emergency inquiry to determine Billy’s detention and have him released. The court later dismissed the petition, saying it did not have sufficient evidence to prove Billy was still in detention. The family then appealed on grounds that witness testimonies were contradicting, suspicious and unconvincing. 

The Appeals Court said yesterday that statements from the three park officials and two student trainees matched the fact that Billy was released, though there were differences in non-essential details, hence the previous ruling was upheld. 

Chaiwat, now an executive at the Conservation Area Administration Office 1 in Prachin Buri province, said he felt better after the ruling as it would allow park officials to continue with their work. Park official Boonthaen Budsarakham, who was among three accused, said he was relieved that the verdict was upheld because they were not guilty of detaining the activist. 

Billy’s wife Phinnapha Phrueksaphan, however, has vowed to continue to look for her husband, while human-rights lawyer Waraporn Uthairangsi said that though the appeal failed, the criminal court procedure for the case was ongoing. 

Waraporn said the group had submitted a complaint with the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission against four park officials for failing to record Billy’s arrest, which was within the frame of negligence of duty.