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The suspects in the murder of a man and the rape of his girlfriend sparked fresh public outrage after a video showed one of them appearing totally 'unapologetic' during police questioning.
Four teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 18-year-old Pasakorn Khongsawasdi and the stabbing, bludgeoning and repeated rape of his girlfriend in the southern province of Phatthalung on Jan 27. The woman was allegedly being raped by the teenagers in front of her boyfriend who was about to be shot dead and buried.
After the video of one of the suspects smiling during interrogation went viral on Tuesday, former Miss Thailand, actress and outspoken advocate of women's rights Panadda "Boom" Wongphudee commented: "Is this the face of a person who just savagely murdered another man and raped a pregnant woman? Why spare this low-life when he is unrepentant?
A stream of comments poured in to support Boom's stance, and calling for the death sentence for the suspects if found guilty, even though they are still teenagers.
Tawatchai Thaikyo, deputy permanent secretary for justice, told reporters on Tuesday that the trial of the four young men could be transferred from the Central Juvenile and Family Court to the adult court because the alleged crimes are beyond the purview of the juvenile system.
"We have to consider five points. The crimes were likely premeditated. They were committed savagely. Their actions had a significantly bad affect on society. They were perpetrated with no mercy for the victims. The culprits had committed similar offences in the past," Mr Tawatchai said.
