Somchai Neelapaijit

Who is Somchai Neelapaijit?

Somchai Neelapaijit, a Thai Muslim-lawyer and human rights activist, disappeared on March 12, 2004 during Thaksin Shinawatra's regime. Strongly suspected to be deceased, he is still the subject of an investigation launched in 2004. Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is believed by many interested in the case to have played a part in the disappearance and what some are certain is a murder. While a body has not yet been located, motive was thought to be Somchai's representation of Muslim defendants in terrorism cases. The day after Somchai's disappearance, concerns were publicly raised, but Thaksin at the time said, "Oh, don't worry. I understand he had a fight with his wife, and will probably be back home in a day or two."