You stand trial where you commit the crime
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I am amazed at Surad Seehaverchart and Thatiya Terdputham [Thai nationals now fighting extradition, accused of murdering Luke Mitchell after he broke up a fight outside an Australian nightclub in 2009,] claiming they will not get a fair trial in Australia
Surad’s comment that he was called a stupid Asian hardly holds credit. If he was called that, it is no different for a foreigner here in Thailand where racist slurs are to be heard. I hardly think an Australian court would prevent extradition to Thailand on such grounds.
As to his comment that he wants to stand trial in Thailand on grounds of his nationality and that he wants to be punished here if found guilty, sorry, it doesn’t work like that. If a foreigner commits a crime in Thailand, then he is punished here; he is not going to be sent back to Australia because he would like it. The crime was committed in Australia, and that is where he should serve time if convicted.
Also how is it that human rights worker Sophon Tatichotiphan comes to the conclusion that the extradition would be a breach of their “rights” and “unsafe”? How would it be so? The safety of the extradited would be ensured by the Australian legal system. In addition, how might the Thai courts enact a trial for a crime committed in another country?
It strikes me these men are just desperate not to go back to Australia as it will mean they will get a fair trial, and that’s what they really fear. It is clear they think that a trial in Thailand will be more inclined to go in their favour and be more lenient.
Disgusted
Bangkok
