Published on March 17, 2004 - Thaksin hints at family problems; others call on govt to investigate

Lawmakers and lawyers yesterday called on the government to investigate the disappearance of a Muslim lawyer representing two terrorist suspects as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra downplayed the case, suggesting that family problems may have been the cause.

The disappearance of Somchai Neelahphaijit sparked fears among his colleagues that the outspoken lawyer may have been abducted by people opposed to his role in the highprofile legal battle, which involves two alleged Thai members of terror group Jemaah Islamiyah who are accused of plotting bomb attacks in the country.

Thaksin’s comment drew a strong reaction from Somchai’s wife, Angkhana, who stated that if the prime minister was not willing to help look for her husband, he should keep his remarks to himself.

Somchai, the chairman of Thailand’s Muslim Lawyers Association, was last seen on Friday evening. His car was found yesterday on Khampaengphet Road in Bangkok near the New Mor Chit bus station. The vehicle’s trunk was heavily dented.

Police have asked to see a surveillancecamera tap from the Chalina Hotel, where Somchai was last seen.

In addition to the alleged JI members, Somchai is also representing nine other Thai Muslims from the deep South accused of being behind the latest spate of violence to hit the region, including the murder of a number of state officials.

“Somchai had disputes with his wife. Perhaps, he just wants to be away from his family problems for a while,” Thaksin told reporters.

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh dismissed suggestions that the military or police were involved with the disappearance.

“Nobody is crazy enough to abduct such a wellknown and beloved lawyer. But we’re not going to jump to a hasty conclusion,” said Chavalit, who added that he had instructed authorities to investigate the matter.

Deputy police chief General Kowit Wattana said investigators believed that a family conflict was the main motivation behind Somchai’s disappearance.

Law Society president Sak Kosaengruang urged the government to carefully check their facts before jumping to conclusions.

“The government must clarify the matter for the public and ensure the safety of lawyers who work to protect people’s rights,” Sak said.

Senator Thongbai Thongpao, a prominent humanrights lawyer, said the government must not ignore the case as it would further damage the government’s humanrights record, which has been tarnished by the antidrug campaign that ended in the questionable deaths of some 2,500 people.

Niran Phitakwachara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Development and Human Security Committee, said Somchai’s disappearance and the government’s handling of it were a “dangerous sign” for Thai society.

He said it was reminiscent of the case involving labour leader Thanong Phoan, whose disappearance 10 years ago still remains a mystery.

“The government should mobilise all possible resources to search for him [Somchai] and make it clear whether this is a kidnapping case,” Pattani MP Muk Sulaiman said.

Forum Asia issued a statement yesterday slamming Thaksin’s remarks, calling it “a tactic to divert the state’s obligation to protect its citizens”.

Somchai was scheduled to appear in court in Narathiwat for the JI trial on Monday.

The other nine Muslim suspects were allegedly connected to the raid on an army camp and torching of a string of schools on January 4.

Somchai has accused police of torturing confessions out of five of the nine.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee