Family demands justice over death of man in detention
The family of a man who mysteriously died while in detention for four days over alleged drunk driving during Songkran has demanded a full investigation into his death and justice.
Surin Keshom, the mother of 40-year-old Prompanya Keshom, suspects that her son died as a result of physical assault because his body had bruises all over while his face and head were swollen when she picked up his body last Thursday.
Prompanya was arrested for alleged drunk driving on April 14. The following day, the Si Sa Ket Court convicted him and ordered him to pay a Bt6,000 fine. Because his family could not afford the fine, Prompanya had to serve a four-day jail term instead.
But Prompanya did not walk out of the Si Sa Ket Prison alive.
According to prison officials, he went into a shock during detention and was rushed to the Si Sa Ket Hospital. However, he succumbed.
Tewan Saensa-ard, the village head of the town where the Keshoms live, said autopsy results showed Prompanya died due to severe impacts to his head.
“There are signs that show he might have been physically assaulted,” Tewan said, adding the Keshoms were also her relative.
Tewan said Prompanya’s body would not be cremated until justice was done.
“We demand that his attacker be brought to justice. If our plea falls on a deaf ear, we will carry Prompanya’s body to the Provincial Si Sa Ket Hall, Tewan said.