Commemoration event for ethnic activists today
A commemoration event for two ethnic activists, one of whom was shot dead at a military checkpoint in Chiang Mai just weeks ago, will take place at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Sunday.
The event will run from 3pm to 8pm in dedication to Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, who disappeared mysteriously in 2014 after a conflict with a senior forest official, and Chaiyapoom Pasae, shot dead in suspicious circumstances last month.
Billy was a Karen activist in Phetchaburi, while Chaiyapoom was a young activist based in Chiang Mai.
Cross Cultural Foundation president Surapong Kongchantuek said his foundation and allies had organised the event to bring attention to social activists like Billy and Chaiyapoom.
“They should not been victims of forced disappearance and extrajudicial killing. The government should have protected them. Authorities should investigate transparently their cases and give clear answers as to what happened to them,” Surapong said.
He urged the public to help campaign for Chaiyapoom, Billy as well as other social activists.