CRIME
Slain girl's parents live in fear
Published: 4/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News
CHIANG RAI : Parents of a slain hilltribe girl have sought protection from police after the man charged with her murder _ the mayor of their tambon _ was freed on bail and a key witness in the case died mysteriously.
Sawat Sophonkerdsiri, 48, and Wanphen Sophonkerdsiri, 46, the father and mother of Thida Sophonkerdsiri, 16, the Lahu girl who was murdered and buried in a landfill in Muang district on April 23, yesterday asked to be placed under special police protection.
The victim's parents said they and Nopphamat, an elder sister of Thida, had been living in fear since 43-year-old Chit Chaikhan, the mayor of tambon Bandu municipality in Muang district, was released on bail.
Worse, Kittiphob Phalad, 46, who was a key witness in the case and had confessed to driving a backhoe to dig a hole in the landfill to bury Thida's body, suddenly died on Sunday, the parents said. The backhoe driver was said to have died of pneumonia but since nobody witnessed the illness or the death of the otherwise healthy man, police are investigating the cause of death.
Ms Nopphamat said aside from her family, she also wanted the police to ensure that the two remaining key witnesses to the case are protected.
Mr Chit allegedly had an intimate relationship with Thida. But police said when he suspected she was going to find a new boyfriend, he shot her dead and buried her body in the municipality's old landfill.
Mr Chit was later arrested and charged with the premeditated murder of Thida and attempting to conceal her corpse.
Former Chiang Rai senator Tuenjai Deetes, who runs a foundation that works on community development in highland areas, yesterday led a team of lawyers to submit a letter to local police asking about the progress of the murder probe.
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