Thailand: Justice Ministry Probes Death of Disgraced Police Officer

Thai Ex-Police Chief ‘Joe Ferrari’ Found Dead in Prison Amid Controversy

Bangkok — Thitisan Utthanaphon, infamously known as “Joe Ferrari” for his collection of luxury cars, was discovered dead in his cell at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok on March 7. The former Thai police officer had been serving a life sentence for the 2021 torture and killing of a drug suspect during an interrogation that was captured on video and widely condemned.

Prison officials reported finding Thitisan slumped against his cell door with a towel tied around his neck. An initial autopsy suggested suicide as the probable cause of death. However, his family has expressed doubts about this conclusion, citing visible bruising and bloodstains they claim to have seen on his body. They have called for an independent post-mortem examination to uncover the truth.

The Justice Ministry has responded by launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Thitisan’s death. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong emphasized the need for transparency and cooperation from prison authorities. As part of the probe, the chief guard of Zone 7, where Thitisan was detained, has been suspended pending further inquiries.

This development comes amid allegations from Thitisan’s family that he had been assaulted by prison staff in the past. In January, he was reportedly reprimanded after reporting another inmate for breaking rules. These incidents have fueled speculation about possible foul play.

Thitisan’s case first gained international attention in 2021 when a video surfaced showing him and other officers placing plastic bags over a suspect’s head during an interrogation. The suspect died from suffocation. The footage ignited public outrage over police brutality and corruption in Thailand.

At the time of his death, Thitisan had served three years and six months of his life sentence. His demise has reignited discussions about accountability within Thailand’s justice system and the treatment of inmates in custody.

Authorities have pledged to conduct thorough investigations into both the cause of death and any potential misconduct by prison staff. Meanwhile, the public remains divided over whether Thitisan’s death was a suicide or evidence of deeper systemic issues within Thailand’s correctional facilities.

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Tags: Thitisan Utthanaphon, Joe Ferrari, Bangkok prison, police brutality, Thailand justice system, prison investigation, autopsy report, viral torture case