Bangkok Prison Death: Family Demands Autopsy After Assault Claims
The death of disgraced former police colonel Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphon, found hanged in his cell at Bangkok’s Klong Prem Central Prison last Friday, has sparked controversy and calls for a thorough investigation. While prison authorities claim suicide, his family vehemently denies this, citing allegations of prior assault and harassment within the prison. They have requested an independent post-mortem examination to determine the true cause of death.
Thitisan, 43, gained notoriety in 2021 for his role in the brutal torture and killing of drug suspect Chiraphong Thanapat. The shocking case, involving suffocating the 24-year-old victim with plastic bags, horrified the nation and led to Thitisan’s conviction and life imprisonment. He had served three and a half years of his sentence at the time of his death.
The Department of Corrections released a statement confirming Thitisan’s death, stating he was found sitting against his cell door Friday night with a towel tied around his neck and secured to the door. Prison officials reported bruised fingers and the absence of a pulse. While CCTV footage reportedly shows no one entering the cell, an official autopsy is underway. The statement also noted Thitisan’s underlying health issues, including an anxiety disorder, dyslipidemia (a cholesterol imbalance), and essential tremor, a neurological condition causing involuntary shaking. He had reportedly consulted a psychiatrist as recently as February 18th and exhibited paranoid behavior, fearing attacks from other inmates.
However, Thitisan’s family presents a different account, alleging a pattern of harassment and violence against the former police officer. Sources indicate his mother filed a formal complaint with the director-general of the Department of Corrections in late February, detailing an alleged assault by a prison official. This incident reportedly stemmed from Thitisan reporting another inmate’s violation of prison rules—watching pornography on a mobile phone. The official allegedly reacted angrily, accusing Thitisan of insubordination and physically assaulting him. Thitisan’s mother further claimed this official confiscated documents crucial to Thitisan’s ongoing legal proceedings and that such harassment was common within the prison.
Further fueling the family’s suspicions, Thitisan’s lawyer, Weerasak Nakhin, confirmed his client had instructed him to file a police complaint regarding the alleged assault, providing a medical certificate as evidence of his injuries. Mr. Nakhin stated that when police attempted to question the implicated prison official at Klong Prem, the prison commander denied them access. He has since requested that Thitisan’s body be retained for an independent autopsy at Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani.
The 2021 case that led to Thitisan’s imprisonment involved accusations of extortion. Prosecutors alleged he and five subordinates attempted to extort 2 million baht from Chiraphong in exchange for his release. While Thitisan admitted to ordering the torture, he claimed his intention was to gather information about local drug operations. Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
The circumstances surrounding Thitisan’s death raise serious questions about the safety and security within Thailand’s prison system. The discrepancies between the official narrative and the family’s claims necessitate a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents. The independent autopsy, along with a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of assault and harassment, will be crucial in uncovering the truth and providing closure for Thitisan’s family. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the Thai correctional system and its ability to protect the rights of inmates.
