Court Awards 4.9 Million Baht to Family of Soldier Beaten to Death

The Civil Court has ordered the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Thai Army to pay 4.9 million baht in compensation to the family of Pvt Yuthakinant Boonniam, who was beaten to death at an army camp in Surat Thani in 2017. The ruling comes nearly a decade after the tragic incident. Pvt Yuthakinant was conscripted in 2015 and was serving at the 45th Military Circle in Surat Thani at the time of his death. In March 2017, he was accused of insubordination and sentenced to 15 days of detention. According to the plaintiffs' suit, a substance found in the soldier’s urine led to him being chained while in detention and forced to perform 300 burpees three times daily as punishment. The suit further alleges that around 1:20 am on March 28, 2017, army trainers ordered cellmates to beat Pvt Yuthakinant repeatedly. The beating continued until 2 am. Between then and 6 am roll call, cellmates allegedly tied the private upside down to cell bars and placed a wet towel over his face. After roll call, Pvt Yuthakinant was taken out of his cell, visibly bruised and unable to stand. He suffered more beatings until March 31, when he developed a swollen head and high fever. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital from kidney failure and acidosis. Previously, prosecutors from the 45th Military Circle had convicted 11 individual defendants of negligence, fatal assault, and violations of personal rights, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from three to six years. The civil court's order mandates the defendants to pay 4.1 million baht in compensation to the deceased’s family, plus 5% annual interest from the lawsuit's filing date. A source familiar with the case indicated that one defendant had already agreed to pay one million baht, with negotiations ongoing with others. This case brings renewed attention to disciplinary practices within the Thai military and the protection of soldiers' human rights.