Cambodia urged to investigate disappearance of Thai activist
Human Rights Watch has called for an urgent investigation into the alleged abduction in broad daylight of a prominent Thai pro-democracy activist from the streets of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a critic of the ex-general Prayut Chan-O-Cha's Thai government , was snatched from outside his apartment by a group of armed men who drove him away in a black car, the group claimed, citing witnesses and security camera footage.
His colleague, who was talking on the telephone with him when the abduction occurred, heard him scream, “Argh, I can’t breathe,” before the call was cut off, HRW added.
“The abduction of a prominent Thai political activist on the streets of Phnom Penh demands an immediate response from Cambodian authorities,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “The Cambodian government should urgently act to locate Wanchalearm and ensure his safety.”
On Sunday, his family pleaded for his return. "Please release Wanchalearm. We will look forward to this with hope," they said in a statement. "We hope this enforced disappearance will be the last time."
Mr Wanchalearm has lived in self-exile in Cambodia since the Thai military seized power in a May 2014 coup, remaining politically active and frequently making comments critical of the Thai government on social media.
Dozens of politicians, university professors and political activists fled Thailand after the coup, with many taking refuge in neighbouring countries. The Thai authorities have sought to track them down, particularly those who have been critical of the country’s revered monarchy.
Bangkok has repeatedly demanded that Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia hand them over, and at least eight have become victims of enforced disappearance, according to HRW.
Last year the dissident community was shocked and terrified by the horrific murders of Chatcharn Buppawan, 56, and Kraidej Luelert, 46 – both known critics of the Thai regime - whose bodies were found stuffed with concrete in the Mekong river in Laos after they went missing.
Mr Wanchalearm is wanted in Thailand for running an acerbic anti-government Facebook page.
He had allegedly breached the Computer Crimes Act and Article 116 in the Thai penal code, which criminalises writings that create "chaos", said National Police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen.
But "although (Wanchalearm) is wanted by Thai authorities, we have followed strict rules and regulations" in requesting information from other parties, he told AFP.
Mr Krissana said Thai police had "no idea" about the dissident's whereabouts.
Cambodia’s police also said they knew nothing of Mr Wanchalearm’s alleged disappearance and that they were not going to open an investigation.
Human Rights Watch called for international intervention.
“Foreign governments and donors should press the Cambodian government to take all necessary measures to find Wanchalearm or risk being complicit in his abduction,” said Mr Adams.
