National—
At 9:00 AM, on January 23rd, 2024, Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakparn, the Deputy National Police Chief, stated to Thai national media more information regarding Sa Kaeo teens allegedly attacking a mentally ill woman to death and also were involved in other severe crimes.
Previously, the teenage group allegedly had committed crimes in more than 7 to 8 cases including the murder of Ms. Buaphan, rape, and indecency, according to the police summary of the cases on January 22nd.
Upon further investigation, the police found that adults allegedly were also involved in committing crimes. Additionally, arrest warrants and charges were under process, and would be complete by January 26th, said Pol. Gen. Surachet. Parents of the juvenile suspects would also be pressed on various charges, said Pol. Gen. Surachet.
However, the police would further track down similar juvenile groups on the police watch list across Thailand such as Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Sa Kaeo. Sa Kaeo would be an example in an extreme case to enforce strict laws including setting up checkpoints for drug, kratom, or alcohol tests, remarked Pol. Gen. Surachet.
Recently, Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol, the commissioner general of the Royal Thai Police, ordered a curfew in Sa Kaeo forbidding juveniles from leaving households beyond 10:00 PM.
On the night of January 22nd, Sa Kaeo police were able to seize firearms, ammunition, and illicit substances. A total of 8 drug users were arrested, 20 parents were given probation, and 35 motorcycles were seized, according to the police.
Pol. Gen. Surachet further added that he discussed with the Director-General of the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection regarding the social issues in juveniles. It was reported that in the case of Sa Kaeo teens, they would be separated from other detained juveniles in therapy and rehabilitation processes.
The process would reportedly be up to three years in an observation center instead of prison, said Pol. Gen. Surachet.
Next week, Pol. Gen. Surachet would perform a field inspection of the Sa Kaeo area to visit various households to build trust and confidence in the justice process.
