BANGKOK, Sept 3 (TNA) – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) found bone pieces, proved by DNA tests to belong to Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, Karen human rights activist, who disappeared five years ago.
The DSI accepted to the Billy disappearance in April last year. Under cooperation of many concerned agencies, the important evidence was finally discovered in the river in the Kaeng Krachan National Park.
An underwater vehicle from the Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok and divers from the Border Patrol Police searched for evidence in the water under the suspension bridge.
The search in April and May this year found two pieces of bone, a 200 –litre oil drum, two steel bars and wood charcoal.
The evidence was sent to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for DNA tests of skull fragment and the results showed the DNA samples, collected from the bone matched Billy’s mother.
DSI investigators believed that his body was burned to cover up the crime.
Additional 20 pieces of bones were discovered in late August.
The DSI said that the murder violated the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and it would expedite further investigation to take legal action against perpetrators.
Billy was last seen on April 17, 2014 in the custody of state officials. He was arrested for collecting wild honey but officials said they released him after a warning.
Billy had been in conflict with government officials at Kaeng Krachan National Park over forest evictions. He helps a group of ethnic Karen to sue the former chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park for setting fire to their huts.
Billy murder case went to the court but suspects were later acquitted for lack of evidence. (TNA)
