A Test Case of Domestic Violence in Thailand

Jakkrit Panichpatikum represented Thailand at the 2012 London Olympics as a sharpshooter.
 
But Jakkrit’s high profile image clouded a darker side.
 
72-year-old Surang Duangchinda admitted that she ordered a gun man to murder him last month.
 
“I did it because my son-in-law beat my daughter repeatedly. I forgave him many times but nothing improved. I didn't want my child to die first so I hired a gunman to kill him.”
 
Jaded Chouwilay is the director of a foundation for victims of domestic violence – Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation
 
He says the mother had reached an emotional breaking point.
 
“They didn't want to kill Jakkrit but the pressure over a long time. (Nitiwadee's) mother thinking after 6 or 7 years they have a moment to decide about this. But in reality they didn't want to shoot Jakkrit. In the law, how to give justice for them and not go to jail?”
 
The Thai government estimates there are on average 23,000 women and children victims of domestic violence each year.
 
And the number is on the rise.
 
A survey by Mahidol University's National Institute for Child and Family Development last year said around 30 per cent Thai households reported abuse.
 
Miss Suphaksorn - a 33-year-old executive assistant - recounted to Asia Calling the occasion her former boyfriend after he had married another woman.
 
She said, he used violence to in a bid to continue the relationship after he was married. 
 
“He bought a gun to my office, threatening me, saying that if I don't go back as normal with him as usual he would kill me, I was afraid. By the end of May he physically abused me. Smacked me, banged my head against the wall, against the bed. He tried to stab me. I begged him for my life.”
 
After the attack, she called a friend to rescue her - first to a hospital and then to the police.
 
Studies show that domestic violence covers all socio-economic groups, and often related to alcohol and drug abuse.
 
James Lang, a director of victim’s rights group, Partners for Prevention, says the reason behind this is a combination of male chauvinism and gender inequalities.
 
“What is allowing for men's violence to continue is these ways that we are taught to be men -- that are associated with dominance over women - like the idea that we as men are entitled to control women and their bodies - men viewing sexuality and their entitlement to women as sexual objects.”
 
Studies show that many middle class women appear to endure abuse over a long period of time.
 
But women from slum communities, like Klong Toey, don’t hang around if they’ve been physically abused.
 
Father Maier founded an organization that provides schooling for children in the area.
 
He says there’s another important issue that follows domestic abuse cases.
 
“The physical stuff happens of course but that's not the issue; it's the 'violence' of abandoned  children and the women can't take care of their own children. They've got to give up their kids, they can't settle down and just be a mum. He doesn't give them the money, he runs around, he gambles. The men use their money to play -the women use their money to take care of the children.”
 
Thailand has the 2007 law that protect victims of domestic violence. The law for the first time imposed punishments including a 200 U.S. dollar fine and up to six months in jail.
 
There’s also a government-run emergency hotline available.
 
Jaded says many women are still unware of the existing laws and protection.
 
He adds that the real challenge lies in changing the attitudes of men.
 
“I want to reform the mechanism to have this law. To change the attitudes of men, to change them to solve them – and you have the mechanism to protect women. This mechanism is very important. The domestic violence law, once women know about the law to protect themselves, and after that, support the women to talk about their experiences with other women when they have domestic violence, they have to share together.
 
Thailand will be watching closely Mrs Surang's murder trial as a test case on domestic violence.

Jaded says the case is a complex one.