Den Khamlae
Den Khamlae | |
|---|---|
เด่น คำแหล้ | |
| Disappeared | 16 April 2016 Khok Yao Forest, Khon San District, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand |
| Spouse | Suphap Khamlae |
Den Khamlae (Thai: เด่น คำแหล้) was a Karen farmer land rights activist in Thailand.[1] In April 2016, Den disappeared from Chaiyaphum province's Khon San district amidst a land dispute, and has been missing since.[2][3][4]
Activism
[edit]Den campaigned for land rights for poor residents of Chaiyaphum province in northeastern Thailand.[5] He was the head of the Kok Yao community.[6]
In 2011, Den was charged with encroachment and imprisoned.[1] He was released on bail in 2013.[1]
On 10 March 2016, a court writ was circulated by military and forest officials ordering residents in Kok Yao to vacate their homes with 8 days, as the properties were claimed to encroach on the Phu Sum Puk Nam Sanctuary.[4] Den led a group of affected residents to seek help from the government to overturn the court order.[1]
Disappearance
[edit]On 16 April 2016, Den disappeared after entering the Khok Yao Forest to collect bamboo shoots and mushrooms.[1] On 1 August 2016, a loincloth was found that belonged to Den.[4] Human remains were later found that were believed to be Den's, according to a Central Institute of Forensic Science investigation.[7][8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Reporters, Post (April 22, 2016). "Activist goes missing amid land dispute". Bangkok Post. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Blessing ceremony for freed land-rights activist". nationthailand. January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "7 Years after Disappearance of Den Khamlae, Justice Still Delayed | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. April 20, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c Wongsamuth, Nanchanok (August 21, 2016). "Where hope has vanished". Bangkok Post. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Den Khamlae - The disappearing face of a land rights movement - The Isaan Record". web.archive.org. October 31, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "ครบรอบ 1 ปี "เด่น คำแหล้" หายตัวไป". Thai PBS (in Thai). Retrieved 2025-01-13.
- ^ "DSI looks for evidence of 2016 activist disappearance". nationthailand. September 5, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "7 ปีที่สูญหาย 'เด่น คำแหล้' นักต่อสู้เพื่อสิทธิที่ดิน ภายใต้ยุค 'ทวงคืนผืนป่า' | ประชาไท". prachatai.com (in Thai). 2025-01-13. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
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