Thai army cadet's body mysteriously returned with no brain

[Looper]

The family of an 18-year-old cadet in the Thai military is demanding answers after his body was returned without its brain, heart and other organs, following an autopsy investigation into his sudden death.



The army said Pakapong Tanyakan died of a sudden heart attack, but did not release details of the autopsy and the family remained suspicious.

When his body was returned, the family held a fake cremation and secretly had a second autopsy performed at a private hospital, according to local news reports.

"It turns out when they opened up his skull, there was only tissue paper," said Supicha Tanyakan, the dead cadet's sister, as quoted in the Bangkok Post.

Pakapong Tanyakan's heart, stomach and bladder were also missing.

The second autopsy found both collarbones broken, a fractured fourth rib and internal bruising on the right side of his abdomen.

The injuries were not mentioned by army doctors after their autopsy.

"His body had no signs of injuries at all, so we partially removed some of his organs, like his brain and heart, for detailed examination," said Lieutenant Colonel Narut Thongsorn, a senior doctor at the Army Institute for Pathology, as quoted by The Nation newspaper on Tuesday.

The ABC has not seen either autopsy report.
A man comforts his crying wife and stands with their daughter.
Photo: Pakapong Tanyakan's family mourn his sudden loss and the unexplained condition of his body. (Facebook: Sukanya Tanyakan)

Army history of hazing and recruit deaths

Thailand is a highly militarised nation and is currently run by generals, after a coup in 2014.

Each year a lottery for young males decides who gets drafted to duty, and the junta has even introduced military-style training programs in kindergartens.

Thailand's armed forces have faced scandals in the past involving hazing rituals and deaths of recruits.

In April, a 22-year old conscript died while being detained at the 45th Circle Military Camp in Surat Thani for disciplinary breaches.

According to Human Rights Watch, Yutthakinun Booniam's last words to his mother in hospital were: "I was beaten up. It hurt so much."
Thai army cadet who died suddenly pictured in uniform
Photo: There are inconsistencies in the Thai army's explanation of Pakapong Tanyakan's death. (Facebook: Sukanya Tanyakan)

Investigative news outlet Prachathai reported at least eight deaths of recruits in the last eight years from torture, punishment or unexplained reasons.

At a press conference in Bangkok on Tuesday, the officer in charge of the cadet school denied Pakapong Tanyakan's sudden death was linked to a punishment three months ago.

On 23 August, the 18-year old was among cadets caught using a forbidden pathway and was forced to sit with his legs above his head in a sauna room for several hours, according to his sister, Supicha Tanyakan.

"He fell unconscious and demonstrated low vital signs that day," Ms Supicha told Thai media.

On 16 October Pakapong Tanyakan participated in school activities but had quickened breathing and went to the first aid room, according to Major General Kanokpong Channuan, the commander of the cadet school.

He fainted on October 17 and was sent to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, said Major General Kanokpong.
Different guidelines for autopsied organs in US, Australia

Australian forensic centres do sometimes retain organs for further examination, but only after extensive consultation with the family.

That would include a clear explanation about why the organ was being kept and sometimes arrangements with the family for the body part to be buried or cremated in a separate ceremony.

However, in 2015 a US court ruled that brains don't have to be returned inside bodies after an autopsy.

The case came to light when friends of a teenager killed in a car crash saw a brain in a jar with his name on it during a school trip to the morgue.

A lower court initially awarded the family $1.3 million but the Court of Appeals overturned the ruling.

"They had us bury our son with nothing in his head — it seems like they don't even have a heart," said the victim's father, Andre Shipley, according to the New York Post.

Thai army cadet's body mysteriously returned with no organs - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)


I am confident that TD CSI will make short work of this brain teaser...

They had us bury our son with nothing in his head — it seems like they don't even have a heart

They do have a heart. They have your son's heart!

[Chittychangchang]

Some sort of Thai Manchurian candidate experiment gone wrong.
One soldier with two brains is in a top secret Military medical facility killing Burmese volunteers with his brain power...

[Maanaam]

"They had us bury our son with nothing in his head — it seems like they don't even have a heart," said the victim's father

Perverse sort of double entendre.

Well done to the family for paying to have a 2nd autopsy done. The most disturbing thing about this story is that by rights it should be major headline news and police and Ministry of Defence top dogs involved and all over it.
Broken collar bones, fractured rib and internal bruising, yet the Army autopsy said "heart attack"!!!???
Yet the people still simply accept a military dictatorship that can do what it wants, even kill cadets it's forced to serve.

[kmart]

^There is a long list of kids that have been recently brutalized to death in the Thai armed forces. Obvious intimidation by the junta keeping this issue off the front pages of media outlets.

[aging one]

Military is gonna dig themselves in a hole over this. Not some poor family complaining this time. Wont be swept under the rug one would hope.

[Neverna]

PM orders transparent investigation into cadet’s death


The Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has expressed condolences to the family of a cadet who died at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS), asking relevant parties to clearly examine the cause of death.


Phakhapong Tanyakan, a first-year student at the AFAPS, died under what his family members consider suspicious circumstances. They also have questions about the autopsy procedure.


Gen. Prayut said he was sad to hear about Phakhapong's death, as he is an AFAPS alumni. If the family have concerns about what they claim were irregularities in the student's death, the doctor can reveal the results of the autopsy.


The Prime Minister said that if any investigation shows Phakhapong did not die of natural causes, those responsible for his death will face a severe penalty.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | PM orders transparent investigation into cadet?s death

[Maanaam]

The Prime Minister said that if any investigation shows Phakhapong did not die of natural causes, those responsible for his death will face a severe penalty.

Believe it when I see it.
And what about the fake autopsy report? That too is a criminal disgrace.

[wasabi]

Thai military are body part snatchers.

[DrB0b]

Yet the people still simply accept a military dictatorship

Perhaps they could go demonstrate agains it. Maybe at somewhere like Phan Fah or Ratchaprasong? I wonder how that would turn out, you ignorant prick.

[Maanaam]

^ You really are a grumpy and rude person, aren't you.
You also have terrible reading comprehension and laughable lack of logic, BTW.

[HuangLao]

Military is gonna dig themselves in a hole over this. Not some poor family complaining this time. Wont be swept under the rug one would hope.

Don't bet your last buffalo on any just conclusion.
They'll go through the motions as if they give a rat's fuck and manipulate any such investigation.

All about particular image.

[OhOh]

Army closing ranks, who would have thought such a thing.

[misskit]

Cadet’s family to sue as Army concludes death from natural causes

THE FAMILY OF cadet Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan is dissatisfied with the conclusions of an investigation into the cause of his death and plans to sue the Army.

An investigation into the death of the first-year cadet at Nakhon Nayok’s Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School by an Army committee has been completed and the report handed over to the Supreme Commander of the Army.


While the results were not revealed to the public, a source said the investigation committee concluded that Phakhapong had died of natural causes.


The conclusion matched the preliminary autopsy, which indicated that the cause of death was heart failure.


However, Phakhapong’s family said they were disappointed at the conclusion and intended to sue the Army. A second autopsy has indicated that Phakhapong had suffered a physical attack, raising concerns that corporal punishment may have caused his death.


Phakhapong’s mother, Sukanya Tanyakan, said the family and many others did not agree with the results and would pursue every option to obtain justice regarding his death.



MORE Cadet?s family to sue as Army concludes death from natural causes

[Maanaam]

Susu family! Be strong and don't sell out when the army finally offers some hush money.

[misskit]

Mother says report on cadet’s death ‘distorts truth’

The mother of Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan yesterday raised suspicions about the military investigation committee’s report into the 18-year-old cadet’s death, saying it distorted the truth.

Sukanya Tanyakan also pointed out in a Facebook post that the committee had slandered her son by saying that he did not respect seniority.


Her comments came after the results of a military investigation committee into the death at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) were revealed on Friday. The committee concluded that Phakhapong died from poor health, which ultimately resulted in heart failure.


Even though it was admitted that the cadet had been severely punished prior to his death, the committee claimed that this was not the cause of his death.


MORE Mother says report on cadet?s death ?distorts truth?

[Maanaam]

The committee concluded that Phakhapong died from poor health, which ultimately resulted in heart failure.


Even though it was admitted that the cadet had been severely punished prior to his death, the committee claimed that this was not the cause of his death.

And the cause of the "poor health" was a severe beating. One too many steps to follow?

[Wilsonandson]

Prawit’s head must roll over cadet’s death, blasts Ticha

Bangkok Post 12 Dec 2017
KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI, WASSANA NANUAM

Human rights activist Ticha Na Nakorn has launched a campaign calling on Gen Prawit Wongsuwon to resign following his remarks about the recent death of cadet Pakapong “Moei” Tanyakan at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps).

“As a deputy prime minister, and as the highest leader of the armed forces, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit gave interviews after the death of cadet Moei without caring about the grief afflicting his parents and sister, who have lost a loved one,” Ms Ticha wrote in Sunday’s petition letter.

“More importantly, the autopsy results clearly showed Moei died because he was assaulted, not because he was ill or suffering from ill health.”

Ms Ticha is the director of Kanjanapisek Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Boys, which is overseen by the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection under the Justice Ministry.

As of late afternoon yesterday, the motion had received more than 1,250 signatures of support.

Gen Prawit suggested earlier Mr Pakapong had health problems which caused him to have a fatal heart attack but sceptics suspect he died as a result of being beaten up by his seniors. An autopsy found he had internal bruising.

During the autopsy process a number of his organs had been removed and kept, which also upset the family. The deputy premier later apologised to the family for his remarks.

“Gen Prawit must show responsibility by resigning,” wrote Ms Ticha, a former National Reform Committee and Constitution Drafting Committee member.

The committee investigating the death will meet today to discuss whether they can conclude the investigation quickly or need more time.

Meanwhile, it was unclear if Gen Prawit would report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission today to submit an explanation about whether he included a luxury watch and diamond ring said to be worth US$500,000 in his declared assets. The NACC declined to comment.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gen...h-blasts-ticha

[Norton]

The mother of Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan yesterday raised suspicions about the military investigation committee’s report into the 18-year-old cadet’s death, saying it distorted the truth.

Lady is far too kind. Distorted the truth my ass. Flat out lies and coverup by a military investigation team investigating the military. Only in Thailand. Sorry bastards.

[Wilsonandson]

Cadet’s family should meet to find ‘mutual understanding’: probe head

December 18, 2017 16:40 By Jitraporn Senwong

The Nation The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) is still waiting to be contacted by the family of Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan for a meeting to discuss the cadet’s death and the findings of the subsequent military probe, said ACM Chawarat Marungruang, who chaired the committee conducting the probe and has acted as its spokesperson.

Chawarat has urged the family not to shun the opportunity to find mutual understanding. He said the family didn’t show up to hear the findings on Monday after being invited by the probe committee, because they might be occupied. The committee would now wait for the family to contact the Military Civil Affairs Department.

Chawarat said he had prepared extensive information to clarify the committee’s findings for the family. “If the family isn't confident and remains in doubt about the committee's probe, I would like them to come and talk about what made them feel that way. We will try to explain all points for which the family had questions. If the family doesn't come and talk, we will miss the opportunity to reach an understanding," he said, adding that the military would not pester the family to make contact.



Meanwhile Phakhapong's mother Sukanya Tanyakan said in a Facebook post that she was attending a religious rite at Wat Wiwekaram in Chon Buri for her son.Chawarat has briefed the media on the findings of his committee's investigation made public last Friday. They concluded that Phakhapong's death at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School stemmed from poor health, which ultimately resulted in heart failure. The report admitted that the cadet had been severely and inappropriately punished prior to his death, but concluded that it did not cause his death.

The military investigation’s conclusion contradicted not only the family’s belief that Phakhapong was healthy and did not die from heart failure, but also the result of an autopsy conducted by the Central Institute of Forensic Science. That autopsy noted the cadet’s body had bruises and a broken rib possibly caused by a physical attack.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters to ask RTAF chief General Thanchaiyant Srisuwan about why the family of Phakhapong chose not to come to the military press conference or show up to discuss the findings as invited.

Prawit himself was under fire over his inappropriate comments about the cadet’s death, which led juvenile rights activist Ticha Na Nakorn’s to petition on Change.org for Prawit's resignation. As of Monday afternoon, the petition had 5,296 supporting signatures.

Cadet?s family should meet to find ?mutual understanding?: probe head

[terry57]

It really bangs home just how filthy rotten Thailand's elite are.

In the face of overwhelming evidence of murder they just keep on peddling lies.

The place is truly fuked eh.

Beyond repair and only good if ya cashed up.

[bobo746]

Thailand Army Abuse - Amazing Thailand