Tag Archive for ‘Pai’ at Andrew Drummond

Tag Archive for 'Pai'

Canadians protest ‘murder’ by Thai police - July 19 08

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From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok, Saturday July 19 2008

The family and friends of a young backpacker who was gunned down by a policeman in Thailand have begun a nationwide poster campaign in Canada to demand the killer be brought to court.

Leading the ‘search for justice’ is Ernest Del Pinto, from Calgary, Alberta, whose 25-yr-old son was shot dead by a Thai policeman in the northern Thai village of Pai.

City buses in Calgary are now carrying the posters ‘Canadian Murdered in Thailand. When will be justice be served?’. The campaigners, who are also getting together a petition, plan to take the campaign to buses in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.

The move follows lack of action in Thailand and the exposure by the Thai National Human Rights Commission of a cover up into the ‘murder’ in January this year.

Mr. Del Pinto (below third from left) is also asking Canadians to stay away from Thailand until the matter is resolved.

Leo Del Pinto was shot in the chest and in the head by a Thai policeman in January. A Canadian friend Carly Reisig, 24, from Chilliwack, B.C. was also shot in the chest but she survived.

After the shootings local police chief Colonel Sombat Panya claimed that Canadians had made an unprovoked attack on Police Sergeant Uthai Dechawiwat in the northern village of Pai after he broke up a fight between them.

Uthai, he claimed, shot in self defence as he fell to the ground. His automatic had a hair trigger.
However witnesses and forensic evidence revealed by Thailand’s leading pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojanasund contradicted the police story.

It was Leo who as he fell to the ground. He was shot in the chest and then a second shot was aimed straight at his head as he fell.

Witnesses under protection also said that Sergeant Uthai pistol whipped Ms. Reisig before shooting her under her left breast.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej ordered the Thai Department of Special Investigation to take up the case four months ago. Thai police are notoriously inefficient in investigating their own officers.

No policeman has yet to be prosecuted in connection with a government drugs war in Thailand which began in 2003 during which over 2,000 were killed, killed mainly, say human rights organisations, by policemen.

Family spokesman Ross Fortune said: “The officer concerned is still free and walking the streets and drinking in the bars. Is it not right for the family to feel upset?”

In Bangkok Kamol Kamultrakul of the Thai Human Rights Commission said: “We will be in touch with the DSI to discuss progress.”

Four years ago British backpackers Vanessa Arscott, 23, and Adam Lloyd, 24, from Devon, were gunned down by a Thai policeman in Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai.

Local witnesses to the shooting were scared to give evidence against the policeman, Sergeant Somchai Wisetsingh. But he was convicted and jailed primarily on forensic evidence.

Thai P.M. orders investigation into tourist killings - April 10 2008

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Thai Prime Minister orders investigation into tourist killings

From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok
April 10 2008

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej today (Thursday) formally ordered an investigation into the conduct of a Thai policeman who shot dead a Canadian tourist and injured a second.

The Thai Premier, in his role as the Chairman of the Department of Special Investigations, ordered the DSI to formally investigate charges of murder and attempted murder.

The move comes in the midst of allegations that police in Pai, a picturesque tourist village in northern Thailand, deliberately attempted to cover up the actions of one of their own officers, whom they had to investigate.

The case was taken up by the Thai Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Saisuree Kosolnavin and a team found evidence that completely contradicted the investigation conducted by Police Colonel Sombat Panya of the local Pai police.

Colonel Panya claimed that Canadian Leo Del Pinto, 24, from Calgary and Carly Reisig, 24, from Chilliwack, B.C. had made an unprovoked attack on Police Sergeant Uthai Dechawiwat after he broke up a fight between them in January this year.

Uthai, he claimed, shot in self defence as he fell to the ground. His automatic had a hair trigger.

The police story was subsequently published in the local press and the wire stories and transmitted worldwide.

Police further said that nevertheless Sgt Uthai had been charged with murder and attempted murder but on investigation there was no court record of such charges.

Witnesses and forensic evidence examined by Thailand’s leading pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojanasund however totally contradicted the police story.

Forensic evidence showed that the policeman shot down into Del Pinto’s head. Witnesses said that Sergeant Uthai pistol whipped Ms Reisig before shooting her under her left breast.

The conduct of the police had earlier been referred by the TNHRC to the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission.

Dr. Saisuree said: “This development is very encouraging. The process has already started as Ms. Reisig and another witness have been allowed to give evidence in court.”

‘Fair’ probe into Canadian’s death - The Nation - February 20 2008

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on February 20, 2008

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Fair Probe into Canadian’s Death

Leo Del Pinto charcoal 1 2 The government has promised a transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of Canadian Leo del Pinto after a probe by the National Human Rights Commission revealed key differences from the police investigation.
The NHRC published a report at the weekend on its inquiry into the shooting of del Pinto and Carly Reisig in Pai last month. It contradicted the police investigation on several major points, notably that three shots were fired and not one as police have claimed.
The Thai government gave assurances to Canadian authorities via its embassy in Bangkok.
Human Rights Commis-sioner Surasee Kosolnavin said: “We understand the Thai government has given assurances now to the Canadian government that an investigation will be conducted with the utmost transparency.
“The families of the victims can be assured we will represent the human rights issue in court as joint prosecutors.”
While the NHRC’s call for an independent probe was predicted, what has not been revealed so far is the police claim that “one bullet entered both Carly Reisig and the deceased”.
A commission panel discovered that three bullets were fired, each hitting vital targets - something which pathologists knew from an early stage. But this was not mentioned when police gunman Sergeant Uthai Dechawiwat was released without bail.
Reisig, 24, from Chilliwack in British Columbia, was shot first below her left breast. Del Pinto, also 24, from Calgary in Alberta, was then shot in the abdomen and head. The final bullet entered his check and lodged under his armpit, according to forensic evidence and witnesses interviewed by the NHRC. Carly08 Protected witnesses give evidence to HR Commis
Top pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunan, who gave evidence to the NHRC panel, has already publicly stated that the fatal bullet which killed del Pinto was fired into his skull in a downwards direction. This was backed by witness testimony.
The commission’s report stated: “When Dr Pornthip consulted with doctors who conducted the post-mortem on Leo del Pinto at Chiang Mai University, she gave the opinion that the characteristics of the shooting should not make it a case of the gun going off accidentally.”

Picture above right: Anonymous witnesses testify to NHRC and DSI in Bangkok
Lt-Colonel Sombat Panya, in charge of the police investigation in Pai, claimed Uthai fired accidentally as Leo towered over him.
Annapong Sutsukhon, secretary-general of the Human Rights Commission, called for the investigation to be handed to the Department of Special Investigation, Thailand’s FBI.
He said: “It is thus credible that there has been violation of human rights by state officers in the justice system, a matter in which the Canadian Embassy and the media has a special interest.”
Del Pinto and Reisig were gunned down on January 6 outside a restaurant in Pai in the far North. It was the first of a series of shootings in which Canadians were involved in Thailand.

Andrew Drummond
Special to The Nation

Thai Police Under Fire - Calgary Herald with copy supplied by Andrew Drummond through Splash Agency LA

Pai murder- The Human Rights Report Feb 17 2008 + ThaiVisa.com controversy

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on February 17, 2008

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Urgent: No. Sor Mor 0001/335

Offfice of the National Human Rights Commission of

Thailand Pathumwan,

Bangkok 10330

Re: Report of investigation into the case of Mr Leo Delpinto and Ms Carly Reisig who were shot by an officer from Pai Police Station To: Director General, Department of Special Investigation Encl.: Report of investigation by National Human Rights Commission As the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken up the case of Mr Leo Delpinto and Ms Carly Reisig, Canadian tourists who were shot by the police in Pai, which caused the death of Leo Delpinto at the scene of the incident, while Miss Carly Reisig was injured and sent to Pai Hospital. The event occurred on January 6th, 2008. The NHRC has assigned the subcommittee for protecting human rights in the judicial system to investigate the case according to National Human Rights Commission Act 1998. In investigating the facts, the subcommittee had the opinion that the testimony of individual witnesses at the court conflicted with facts from the police investigation, but were consistent with testimony from anonymous witnesses to the NHRC. It is thus credible that there has been a violation of human rights by state officers in the justice system, a matter in which the Canadian Embassy and the media has a special interest. As state officials are involved and the damaged party are foreigners, this has impacted international relations, and public order and decency. The investigation of this case requires gathering complex evidence requiring a special investigative method to gather evidence for the greatest justice for all parties concerned. After consideration, the NHRC has resolved to send the report of this investigation to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to take on as a Special Case, according to the Special Investigation Act 2004. Thus for your consideration to action, and for requests for results of the undertaking, NHRC will thank you greatly Sincerely Mr Arinnapong Sutsukhon

Secretary General of the NHRC

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Report on the Violation of Human Rights by National Human Rights Commission

Results report number 77/2551 Re: Rights in the justicial process in the case of Canadian tourists being shotComplainant: Case taken upComplainee: Police officers from Pai district Police Station, Mae Hong Son province. Case taken up On Monday, 7 January, 2008, many media published news that Pol Corp Uthai Dechawiwat, a police officer from Pai district Police Station, Mae Hong Son province, had shot Canadian tourists with one dying and one injured. The event occurred on 6 January, 2008 on Highway 1095, Moo 8, Wiang Tai subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. The deceased was Mr Leo Delpinto aged 25, and the injured was Ms Carly Reisig, aged 24. Pol Corp Uthai claimed he heard the sound of the deceased and Ms Carly arguing and attempted to stop the situation by revealing himself as a policeman, but the deceased and Ms Carly turned on him. Pol Corp Uthai thus drew his gun to control the situation. The deceased tried to wrest the gun from him causing the gun to go off and the round to enter the body of the deceased and Ms Carly, who was severely injured. After considering the matter, the Office of the NHRC thus resolved to take up the case as Complaint No 39/2551 dated 11 January 2008, and assigned the subcommittee for protecting human rights in the judicial system to take action. Investigation of the facts: The subcommittee investigated the facts as follows:

1. On Wednesday 30 January, 2008 an (anonymous) witness testified to the subcommittee that on 6 January, 2008, the day of the incident, there had been an open-air musical performance at Reggae Place near the scene of the incident. There was playing around the bonfire until the music ended at about 0200 hours. The witness walked to eat rice soup at P.Dang shop, about 20 metres from the Ting Tong business. He saw Ms Carly walk with Mr Leo. At the same time, Mr Rattapon, a male friend of Ms Carly rode a motorcycle past them and turned around. The witness saw Mr Rattapon talk to Ms Carly. They were arguing and he heard loud shouting ending with the word “dog” (asking afterwards he found out Ms Carly was admonishing Mr Rattapon for not feeding a dog). Mr Rattapon was slapped hard on the face three times. Mr Rattapon thus turned to punch Ms Carly in the face once, and they fought until they both fell to the ground. Mr Leo thus pulled up Mr Rattapon and said “Stop”. During this, a man half-walked, half-ran from the direction of Pai Police Station wearing a sweat jacket and yellow shirt held a gun and said “you get down”. Mr Rattapon got down, Leo put his hands up. Ms Carly stood up, the man holding the gun used it to hit Ms Carly in the face and kicked her in the ribs. With Ms Carly doubled over, he fired a shot at Ms Carly. Ms Carly withdrew, holding her chest. Mr Leo called out, “stop please”. The man walked backwards and tripped on a motorcycle, making him bend over backwards. Mr Leo gave his hand for the man to get up. A shot came from the gun hitting Mr Leo in the stomach, causing Mr Leo to slump. The man fired another shot which hit him in the face. People saw the man walk away, and after a while the police arrived. Mr Rattapon took Ms Carly to Pai

Hospital, close to the scene. Nobody took Mr Leo to the Hospital. The witness thus borrowed a motorcycle and went to the hospital to get a doctor. Then the police came. Almost 20 spectators gathered and then disappeared. 2. Ms Carly Reisig testified to Mae Hong Son Court on 7 September that on the day of the incident, she and her male friend Mr Leo, who were staying in the same place, had been walking along the road to the Be-Bop shop for about 15 minutes when they met Mr Rattapon who was riding a motocycle past them. They asked Mr Rattapon to stop and asked him where he was going. Mr Rattapon replied that he was going home, and she asked whether he had given food to the dog named ‘Magic’. When she found out that Mr Rattapon had not yet fed her dog, she admonished him and they had a heated argument. The witness slapped Mr Rattapon hard on the face three times. Mr Rattapon was angry and punched the witness once in the face and they fought. Mr Leo came in to break them up by separating the witness and Mr Rattapon from each other. Then a man wearing a jacket and dark-coloured trousers ran up. The man kicked the witness in the ribs making her bend over. The man then drew a revolver and aimed it at her face. She pushed it out of the way. The man used the gun to hit her on the forehead once and then fired one shot into the area under her left breast. Mr Rattapon then came in to hold up the witness. The witness turned to look at the man and saw Mr Leo walking in slowly with both hands in the air, saying “Stop Stop Please!”. The man then walked backwards and tripped over a motorcycle making him bend over backwards. Mr Leo extended a hand to help him get up, but the man used the gun to fire two shots at Mr Leo. She saw Mr Leo holding his stomach and the man run away. Mr Rattapon then cried out for help, and Mr Rattapong took her on the motorcycle to Pai

Hospital, while Mr Leo was still lying on the floor. While she was being taken to hospital, the witness was conscious throughout, until doctors inserted a rubber tube into her wound, and the witness passed out, becoming conscious again when she was being moved to a hospital in Chiang Mai.

3. Mr Rattapon Warewdee testified to Mae Hong Son Court on 7 September that on the day of the incident, he had ridden a motorcyle past Ms Carly and Mr Leo who were walking. Ms Carly called for him to stop. After that there was an argument with Ms Carly, the reason being that Ms Carly was angry that the witness had not fed her dog. Ms Carly than slapped him hard on the face three times. The witness was angry and thus got off the motorcycle and punched Ms Carly one time, and they had a fight. During the melee, Mr Leo had separated them. During this, a man of name unknown and previously not known to the witness ran up. The man walking out used his foot to kick Ms Carly in the ribs once. Ms Carly got up and the man drew a gun, the type unclear, and aimed it at the face of Ms Carly. Ms Carly thus used her hand to push the gun out of the way. The man then used his gun to slap Ms Carly in the forehead once. Ms Carl slumped as she had been injured by the slap on the head. Then while Ms Carly was looking up, the man used the gun to fire one shot at Ms Carly. Seeing that he went in to hold up Ms Carly and saw that she had a gunshot wound under her left breast. During this, Mr Leo had walked towards the man, where Mr Leo had both hands in the air, while saying “Stop, Please stop!”. The man walked backwards and tripped over a motorcycle, causing him to bend over backwards. Mr Leo extended a hand to help him get up, but the man used the gun to fire two shots at Mr Leo. After that, he hurried to take Ms Carly on the motorcycle for treatment at Pai Hosital. As for Mr Leo, he was lying down at the scene of the incident and subsequently died.

4. On 5 February, 2008, Dr. Khunying Porthip Rajanasanun inspected the body of Ms Carly and met the Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai

University, and the doctors, who conducted the post-mortem from the Faculty of Medicine,

Chiang

Mai

University, and received explanations and various still pictures concerning the death of Mr Leo. It was found that Mr Leo had been shot twice. One shot had hit the stomach and exited from the back, another shot went in at the cheek and penetrated under the armpit. The bullet hit vital places and made him die immediately. She gave the opinion that the characteristics of the shooting should not make it a case of the gun going off accidentally.

5. The subcommittee met policemen at Pai Police Station in Mae Hong Son, and the policemen explained that it was an accident of the gun going off from a fight for the gun. 6. The subcommittee met the governor of Mae Hong Son and the Deputy Commissioner of Mae Hong Son police to state that police officers were carrying out investigation of the case. Opinion of the subcommittee for protecting human rights in the judicial system The subcommittee, after consideration, had the opinion that facts from the testimony of witnesses at court, and the facts from the investigation were in conflict with that, where the testimony of individuals in the court were reasonably consistent with the anonymous witness at the scene testifying to the subcommittee. It is thus credible that there has been a violation of human rights by state officers in the judicial system, where this complaint is of interest to the Canadian embassy in Thailand and the media have been showing special interest in the case. It was thus seen as appropriate to refer the matter to the Department of Special Investiation (DSI), a neutral organization, for further action according to its powers, for the maximum justice of all parties.

Resolution of the Office of the National Human Rights Commission The NHRC approved the resolution of the subcommittee at meeting number 4/2551 of the NHRC dated 14 February, 2008.

Mr. Saneh Jamrik, President of the NHRC

Miss Naiyana Suphapeung, Board of the NHRC

Mr. Pradit Charoen Thaithawee, Board of the NHRC

Mr. Wasan Panich, Board of the NHRC

Mr. Suthin Noppaket, Board of the NHRC

Mrs. Suni Chaiyaros, Board of the NHRC

Mr.Surasi Kosolnavin, Board of the NHRC Khunying Amporn Meesuk, Board of the NHRC Miss Arporn Wongsang Board of the NHRC

Del Pinto’s death needs independent probe - says Thai Commission Feb 15 08

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Last Updated: Friday, February 15, 2008 | 9:46 AM MT
CBC News

Thailand’s human rights commission has published a report suggesting Thai police botched their investigation into a Calgary man’s shooting death last month.

Leo Del Pinto, 24, (below) was shot and killed after an altercation with an off-duty Thai police officer in the northern town of Pai on Jan. 6. Leo Del Pinto03

His friend, Carly Reisig, was also shot and injured in the incident.

An internal police investigation found the police officer acted in self defence, but a report by the human rights commission released Friday refutes that claim.

“Thailand’s top forensic scientist stepped in and revealed categorically that when Leo Del Pinto was shot, he was shot from above,” reporter Andrew Drummond told CBC News from Bangkok.

“Somebody was shooting down into his head and that totally contradicts police evidence that says the policeman was falling back and he was being overpowered by the foreigner.”
Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat re-enacted his role in the shooting for Thai investigators in January. Police SergeantUthai Dechawwiwat

The commission is asking the Thai prime minister for an independent probe by the justice ministry’s Department of Special Investigation.

“I spoke to the human rights commissioner today and essentially it looks like the police have backed down on the case. They’re no longer claiming it was an accident,” Drummond said.

Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat (CBC picture right)has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder. He said he was trying to break up a fight between Del Pinto and Reisig.

Carly11 Carly Reisig before giving evidence But Reisig told CBC News in January that the off-duty policeman punched her in the face as she and Del Pinto were leaving a restaurant and that her friend stepped in to defend her.

The commission has heard evidence from two local witnesses, backing Reisig’s account. They are being held in protective custody.

NB: Note. The witnesses are not in custody but their identities are being concealed prior to the trial and they are being looked after by the National Human Rights Commission.

From the family of Leo Del Pinto - gunned down by police in Thailand

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on February 12, 2008

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Leo Del Pinto charcoal We have been following the articles and news updates written by Andrew Drummond, along with reader comments through Letters to the Editor and various Thai blogs. Some people are calling Andrew Drummond a ’sensationalist’, which could not be further from the truth. The true sensationalists are the ones who are claiming there are no safety concerns for tourists in Thailand and try to pass this off as an “unfortunate incident”. The Del Pinto family has gone through a tragedy that no other family should experience. Andrew’s reporting along with the hard work the Canadian media has brought more truth and attention to this story than ever would have happened had it been left to the Thai government alone. Some readers are claiming Carly Reisig has changed her story and her account of the incident has been inconsistent. Having gone through official Thai documentation and written witness statements, it is the Thai police officer’s story that does not add up, and that is why the National Human Rights Commission is involved. Our experience with the Pai police has been unpleasant to say the least and it is more than apparent they have attempted to protect “one of their own” at all costs. It has taken the involvement of the DSI, National Thai Human Rights Commission and journalists such as Andrew Drummond to get any semblance of truth and justice in this case so far. Andrew is not presenting a biased opinion, the facts are speaking for themselves; one innocent, unarmed Canadian was murdered in cold blood and another barely escaped with her life because of a reckless and aggressive off-duty police officer. The ignorance of the reader’s who are outspoken against Andrew Drummond’s reporting will only lead to many more tourists being at risk in Thailand.

- The Del Pinto Family
Calgary, Canada
———————————-

c/o Ross Fortune
Del Pinto Family Spokesperson

Pai shootings. Victim relocated after she loses all - February 9 2007

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The National Human Rights Committee and DSI officials have relocated Canadian Carly Reisig, who was shot by a policeman in Pai last month after all her belongings were stolen, apparently when she was in hospital.

National Human Rights Commissioner Surasee Kosolnavin said he believed neither Reisig, from Chilliwack, B.C. or her boyfriend Rattaporn Varavadee, 36, ‘Fune’ from Surin were safe to stay in the town after giving evidence to local police. They said they had hoped to say goodbye to friends.

“We moved her because we were concerned among other things that if she stayed her belongings could turn up at a later date with something illegal in them. This sort of thing has happened,” he said.

This followed an incident outside the prosecutor’s office in Mae Hong Son when Lt-Colonel Sombat Panya, head of the criticised police investigation approached Rattaporn.

Police Lt.-Col. Sombat Panya with Rattaporn (Fune) and

Carly outside Prosectors’ Office, Mae Hong Son

Carly 08 Rathapon Varavadee outside Mae Hong Son Court Rattaporn, who together with Ms Reisig, has claimed that the fatal shooting of Leo Del Pinto, 24, from Calgary, was murder, not an accident said: “He told me to go and see him in his office in Pai. It’s not safe for me to go there. I have been imaging the variety of things which could happen to me.”

The National Human Rights Committee will meet Wednesday. They will rescue that the Department of Investigations takes over the investigation into the killing of Leo Del Pinto.

Shooting death - Police fabricated tale - Dr.Pornthip Feb 9 2008

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on February 8, 2008

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SHOOTING DEATH
Police tale fabricated: Pornthip
NHRC wants DSI to take over Pai inquiry Published on February 9, 2008
Top forensic doctor Pornthip Rojanasunan has rejected the police account of the shooting of two Canadians, one of whom was killed, in the northern town of Pai last month.
Pornthip has been studying post mortems carried out both in Calgary, Canada and in Chiang Mai. She said this week that police claims that Leo del Pinto, 24, had been shot from below by a local policeman “as he was falling to the ground” did not match the evidence.

Carley Reising 01 with Dr Pornthip Rojanasun 1
“What the police say is just not possible. Evidence shows that the gunman was above Leo when he was shot in the head,” she said at the Maharaj Chiang Mai hospital after studying medical records.

Picture: Carly Reisig with Dr. Pornthip and assistant to Canadian Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai
“One bullet went through his abdomen, piercing his kidney and liver, and the entry and exit points were at quite similar points. The bullet that entered the man’s head entered through his right cheek, went down through his larynx and was embedded under his shoulder,” she said.
Her comments add to a growing belief that the inquiry by local police into the incident is a sham, designed simply to get their colleague off the hook.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is set to formally request the Justice Ministry’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) take over investigation into the shooting of del Pinto and Carly Reisig.
Rights Commissioner Surasee Kosolnavin, who has been looking into the case with the DSI’s Colonel Piyawate Kingkate and Pornthip, also indicated a range of concerns about the police probe.
“The most telling point of all is that police have given evidence that the bullet which hit Carly Reisig also hit Leo del Pinto. It is not possible,” said Commissioner Surasee. “So we are starting from that point and going back.

Human Rights Commissioner Surasee Kosolnavin with NHRC team at Pai police station

“There are reports that the policeman has been charged with murder and attempted murder, but no such charges have been brought. They have, however, now been put to the officer [at the court hearing on Wednesday] ,and we will be referring the case to the governing board of the DSI and recommend they take over the investigation.”
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej may be asked to decide whether the DSI should take over the case, as the new PM is understood to head the committee that will consider the matter.
Reisig and del Pinto, both 24 and from British Columbia, were shot in the main street of Pai at about 2am on January 6.
Pai Police Sergeant Uthai Dechawiwat was freed without bail after admitting to shooting the two Canadians. He pleaded not guilty in Mae Hong Son Court on Wednesday to charges of murder and attempted murder.
But Uthai’s claims to have acted in self-defence after a fight erupted when he confronted the two tourists and that his gun discharged accidentally are contentious.
Reisig told the court on Wednesday she had been pistol-whipped then shot in the chest and that del Pinto had been fatally shot straight afterwards, despite having his hands in the air and pleading with Uthai to “Stop! Stop!”
Reisig’s account has been backed by two local witnesses, now in protective custody, who have given their account to the NHRC and DSI in Bangkok.

Andrew Drummond
Special to The Nation
Mae Hong Son

Canadian woman tells court of fatal shooting in Pai - Feb 8 2008

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Damning new evidence has emerged in the case of two Canadians shot by a policeman in the northern town of Pai last month after two eye-witnesses to the drama sought protection from the National Human Rights Commission.
Carly08 Protected witnesses give evidence to HR Commis The witnesses, (pictured with Human Rights Commissioner Surasee Kosolnavin and DSI Colonel Piyawate Kingkate) a young man and woman from Chiang Mai, told the NHRC they were scared to give evidence to police in the North, so the commission helped them gave their account of the fatal shooting to officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Bangkok.
The witnesses, who identities were not revealed, told the DSI that Sgt Uthai Dechawiwat had intervened while Carly Reisig was fighting her Thai boyfriend. The officer kicked Reisig, then hit her with his pistol, but she pushed it away, and he shot her in the chest.
He then shot her friend Leo Del Pinto, 24, twice.
They claimed del Pinto had his hands in the air and was yelling at the officer to “Stop! Stop!” They said Sgt Uthai was drunk.
The witnesses’ account is greatly at odds with the police report of the drama in the early hours of January 6. Sgt Uthai has claimed the two tourists attacked him after he confronted them about a fight and that his gun discharged accidentally.
News of the witnesses came out yesterday when Reisig, 24, went to Mae Hong Son Court to testify about the shootings. She was escorted to the court by officers from the DSI.
Sgt Uthai was summonsed to answer charges of murder and attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty to both.
Reisig told the court she was on the ground and had been fighting with her boyfriend Ratthapon because she said he had failed to feed her Labrador dog ‘Magic’. Leo had tried to separate the couple when a man she knew as Sgt Uthai approached.
“He came and kicked me in my side as I was trying to get up. He was shouting in Thai and pointing a gun at me. I pushed the gun away then he hit me over the head with the gun and I fell to my knees. As I fell he shot me just below the chest.
“I looked up and saw Leo was shouting ‘Stop! Stop!’ He had his hands in the air. The policeman fell back over a motorcycle then recovered and he fired twice.
After the first time Leo put his hands to his stomach and went down. Then he shot down at Leo as he fell.”
The new evidence had been gathered by a special team made up of members of the Human Rights Commission led by former public prosecutor Surasee Kosolnavin and officers of the DSI, under Colonel Piyawate Kingkate.
Commissioner Surasee said: “What is the most telling point of all is that police have give evidence that the bullet which hit Carly Reisig also hit Leo Del Pinto. It is not possible. So we are starting from that point and going back.
“There are reports that the policeman had been charged with murder and attempted murder, but no such charges were placed. They have, however, been put to the officer today and we will be referring the case to the governing board of the DSI and recommend they take over the investigation.”
Also involved is Dr Pornthip Rojanasunan, Thailand’s top independent pathologist, who has been studying post mortems carried out in Calgary, Alberta and Chiang Mai. Dr Pornthip has already rejected police claims Leo Del Pinto was shot from below as he was falling to the ground.
“It’s just not possible, what the police say. Evidence shows that the gunman was above Leo when he was shot in the head.” she said at the Maharaj Chiang Mai hospital after studying medical records.
by Andrew Drummond
Special to The Nation

Either bullet would have killed Canadian backpacker - Jan 16 2008

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on January 16, 2008

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From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok, January 16th

An autopsy carried out in Canada on the body of John Leo Del Pinto, who was gunned down by a policeman in Pai earlier this month has revealed both shots would have been fatal. Leo Del Pinto 01 1 2 3 4

The Medical Examiner’s office in Calgary, Aberta, has completed a report which says he was killed instantly by the bullet to his head. But the second shot pierced both his liver and kidney and would also have been fatal.

Ross Fortune, a spokesman for the Del Pinto family, said last night that personal belongings which Del Pinto was carrying at the time of the death had not been returned.

“This was heartbreaking news for a family, who are already struggling to cope with the loss of their only son.”

The full autopsy report is expected to be ready in three days.

A memorial service is to be held in Calgary today.

Meanwhile Canadian Secretary of State, Helena Guergis, has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing Canada’s concern and asking to be kept up to date with the investigation into the shootings of Del Pinto and his companion Carly Reisig, 24, from Chilliwack, British Columbia as the country was concerned for the safety of its citizens in Thailand

Leo Del Pinto Canada

Canadians seek safe passage for Thai witness of Pai shooting - Nation Jan 11 08

Published

Andrew Drummond

on January 11, 2008

in General News

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Published on Jan 11, 2008

Carly Street seen in Pai today 1 By Andrew Drummond, Special to the Nation
The family of 24-year-old Leo Del Pinto, who was shot dead by a Thai policeman in Pai has called on the Canadian government to give safe passage to Carly Reisig and her Thai boyfriend, as they claim they fear for their lives.
In a statement issued through their spokesman Ross Fortune in Calgary the family complained that neither the Canadian or Thai Governments have provided answers to what happened to Leo, 24, from Calgary and Carly Reisig, 24, of Chilliwack, British Columbia early last Sunday morning.
“Carly and her Thai boyfriend are in fear for their lives and feel they require help from the Canadian government. The couple have been threatened that it is not safe for them to return to their residence in Pai as the police officer responsible is still out on bail.
“The Canadian Government has not assigned anyone to watch over and protect Carly and her boyfriend at this point in time. This is of great concern to the Del Pinto family as Carly and her boyfriend are the only two reliable witnesses to the murder of Del Pinto.
“Carly communicated that she and her boyfriend are attempting to return to Canada, where they will feel safer in continuing their pursuit of justice for Leo. This will require special accommodations by the government as her boyfriend is a Thai citizen. The Del Pinto family supports the decision for Carly to return to Canada and asks that the government expedites this process as quickly as possible so that Carly and her boyfriend can be in a safe environment.” Leo Del Pinto 01 1 2 3 4
Nobody in Pai has come forward to support Carly’s claim that Sergeant Uthai Dechawiwat made an unprovoked attack on her and Leo and then deliberately shot Leo in the head, and later on the ground in the heart, before turning his gun on her.
Instead she has been called a ‘troublemaker’ who caused the incident by hitting the policeman.
Her Thai boyfriend Rattaporn Varawadee has remained by her bedside in Chiang Mai Ram hospital and has been careful to say little apart from “Nothing any of us did justifies the policeman pulling his gun and shooting.”
Carly Reisig has insisted she will return for the trial of Sergeant Dechawiwat out of a Canadian Government ‘Victims of Crime’ fund. Yesterday she made an anxious call to Canada saying the police wanted to take her out of Chiang Mai back to Pai.

The Nation article

Canadian backpacker admits she had hit Thai policeman

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Andrew Drummond

on January 10, 2008

in General News

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Villagers contradict Canadian girl’s story - CBC

Pai Shooting Analysis - The Nation

Canadian Carly Reisig, who witnessed her best friend being shot to death by a Thai policeman before being shot herself, last night defended herself from reports that she had been a ‘troublemaker’ in the murder village.

But she admitted that she had been involved in heated rows in the past in the picturesque hill tribe village of Pai near the Burma border – and had herself struck a Thai policeman.

Carly new2 Reisig, 24, from Chilliwack, British Columbia, who has stars tattooed in her left eyelid, said that two months prior to the arrival of one time boyfriend Leo del Pinto, also 24, from Calgary, she had intervened after a scuffle broke out in a bar involving an Israeli tourist and a former Thai boyfriend called ‘Nui’.

“The Israeli guy hit my Thai boyfriend and I tried to break it up but I couldn’t. Then the police came and took them outside and they circled around Nui and were pushing him, so I got involved.

“I went in there and hit one of the cops. I was very drunk that night. The cops took us both to the police station and made us give urine samples. The test came out clear and they let us both go.”

On another occasion she said she was involved in a fight at a regular party at a nearby arts market called Pittalew with her current boyfriend Rattaporn Varawadee nicknamed Fuen.

“We had our first fight. We were sitting on the bench together, and then I started crying and walked off. I was walking around crying but neither of us touched anyone else.”

Ms Reisig adamantly stuck to her claim that Police Sergeant Major Uthai Dechawiwat was the one who struck the first blow outside P.Daeng’s Restaurant early last Sunday morning as she was walking from the Be–Bop bar in Pai to the Bamboo Bar. She said she was ‘not a troublemaker’. Carly Street seen in Pai today

Right: Street scene in Pai today. Adapted from old Thai expression

“Things are a bit foggy. I can’t quite remember .Leo and I were always messing around and play fighting noisily. We might have even been yelling at each other, play-fighting – but not in anger, it was just our way of kidding around, having fun. We never fought in anger. But even if we were fighting, we weren’t hurting anybody else. It didn’t give anyone the right to shoot us.

“I don’t feel at all responsible for the shooting. The guy who did this was crazy.”

Last night as the sunset on Pai, a former by-water which has been taken over in the last 3 years by a massive backpacker invasion, two Thai witnesses said they insisted it was Carly not the policeman who started the fight.

Kanasphuchit Sankam, the owner of a karaoke bar who was eating at the noodles at the time said: “I watched the couple come up, punching each other and yelling.

Carly PDangs “It didn’t look like they were pretending, it looked like a real fight, they were shouting loudly and punching each other, but I don’t know what the fight was about.

Left: P.Dang’s Restaurant

“They even knocked over one of the motorbikes that was parked on the bridge. I watched Uthai go over to try and stop the fight.

He said ‘Stop, I am police’ and held out his hand in front of him, with his other hand ready to draw his gun. They pushed him over and he got his gun out.

“The girl started crying loudly and he told her to calm down and go and sit down. The policeman then started walking away from the scene, but the girl got up and hit him.

“Leo then joined her in hitting him and they all fell onto the ground. I couldn’t see them anymore because of the parked cars, but I then heard three shots go off. If the girl had not provoked him, nothing would have happened.”

A similar story in almost identical words was told by Saijai Gawin the owner of the noodle shop. However witnesses also stated that Leo’s killer was also ‘drunk’ in the BeBop bar in Pai - where Carly and Leo had been drinking earlier.

The Thai police investigator Lt-Colonel Sombat Panya has already given a reason for the couple fighting. He said Leo Del Pinto, who recently arrived in Thailand, was angry when he found out that Reisig had become pregnant with a Thai man known as Fuen.

Associated Press has quoted Sombat Panya as saying that the foetus ‘was unharmed’. Ms Reisig denies being pregnant. Leo Del Pinto03

As in the case of British backpackers Vanessa Arscott,23, and Adam Lloyd who were gunned down by a Thai policeman in Kanchanaburi by the River Kwai in Thailand in 2004 it seems unlikely that Ms Reisig will be able to produce any witnesses in Thailand to prove her side of the story.

Her current Thai boyfriend, while claiming the shootings had no justification, is reluctant to say any more. Ms Reisig, say some foreign residents, was looked down upon by some of the local Thais.

But the policeman himself was reported by several sources to have been drinking off duty in the BeBop bar on the tragic night.

Four years ago in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, Briton Adam Lloyd was gunned down by Police Sergeant Somchai Wisetsingh and then got into his Volvo car and ran down Vanessa dragging her body under the car along the riverside road.

He then got out and as she clung to an electric pylon shot her in the head, neck and chest.

In the ensuing furor stories were put out that Vanessa had slept with Wisetsingh and had returned to the town to see him again and Adam had become angry.

There were several witnesses to the shooting. They would not go to court but were able to tell the victim’s parents exactly what happened. Each one said they were scared to give evidence against the local police.

In the case of the death of John Leo del Pinto it seems the only reliable evidence may be forensic, and hope of a satisfactory and transparent conclusion for the young man’s family may be down to close monitoring of the case by the media, Canadian government and lawyers. Carly Pai Police Station

The grouping of the shots is vital. But there already appears to be an answer as to why the gun fired. “Police told me that their guns do not have safety catches,” a local reporter said last night.

Pai Police Station

Canadian survivor describes how ‘best friend’ was executed by Thai policeman

Published

Andrew Drummond

on January 7, 2008

in General News

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Nation: Cop executed my best friend

Canadian recounts Thai shooting that killed friend - Toronto Star

In a carbon copy murder similar to the police execution of two British backpackers in Thailand four years ago – a young Canadian tourist told yesterday how a Thai policeman executed her best friend.

Carly Reisig1 Twenty-four-year-old Carly Reisig, from British Columbia, said the policeman who had no grounds at all for the attack – shot fellow Canadian John Leo del Pinto in the head.

Then as he lay on the ground he put another bullet into his heart before the Police Sergeant Major turned his gun on her and shot her in the chest.

In both cases it seems policemen had been knocked to the ground by tourists and may have lost face. In both cases police claimed they had intervened to stop foreign couples quarrelling.

Speaking from her bed in hospital in Chiang Mai, Carly, from Chilliwack, British Columbia said that the policeman’s story that he intervened to break up a fight and that the gun discharged while they were fighting over it was totally untrue.

The shooting of the two backpackers had eerie similarities to the murder of Britons 23-yr-old Vanessa Ascott, and Adam Lloyd, 24, by the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi in 2004.

In that case Adam Lloyd was first shot then Vanessa was run over by Police Sergeant Somchai Wisetsingh in his car, before, as Vanessa clung to a pylon, he finished her off with bullets to her head, throat and chest.

Thai police have issued a statement saying that Poli