Post Claims 2014 Train Rape-Murder Convict Served Just 10 Years; Corrections -Department Says More Than 30 Years Remain
Thai PBS Verify traced the origin of the false claim to Threads.
Post Claims 2014 Train Rape-Murder Convict Served Just 10 Years
Thai PBS Verify found a post by the Threads account “manazz109” containing an image and text that read:
“One life in exchange for 10 years in prison 😫😖 Thai law is pathetic…”
The post featured a photograph of the inmate convicted of raping and murdering a schoolgirl on a passenger train in 2014.
The text on the image claimed:
“#Ai Game 14 days until release. Thai law gives only 9 years in prison in exchange for one life.
Case of the rape and murder of Miss Kotchakorn Phitakjamnong, or ‘Nong Gam,’ aged 13, on the Nakhon Si Thammarat–Bangkok train line, Black Case No. O.1407/2557, dated September 30, 2014. Sentenced to 10 years. Term reduced by one-third to 6 years and 8 months. Time served: 8 years and 10 months. Release date: August 18, 2025 (only 14 days left).
Justice… that the victim will never receive back.”
The post received more than 121,000 views and over 120 comments. Most commenters appeared to believe that the information was genuine.
Some of those who commented believe the story is true.
What Are the Facts ?
A post on Threads claimed that “Ai Game,” the inmate convicted in the 2014 rape and murder of “Nong Gam” on a train, was due to be released in 14 days, as of the date of the post, after serving only 9 to 10 years in prison.
This claim is false.
The Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, verified the information and provided the following clarification:
- The Actual Sentence: The convict was sentenced to death in a final court judgment for multiple offenses, including murder, rape, and theft. He was not sentenced to 10 years in prison as claimed.
- Current Status: The inmate remains under strict, maximum-security confinement at Bang Kwang Central Prison.
- Sentence Reductions: The inmate received royal pardons twice in accordance with the applicable legal criteria:
- First reduction (2019): The death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
- Second reduction (2024): The life sentence was reduced to a fixed term of 42 years, 10 months, and 9 days.
- Release Schedule: As of the time of the clarification, the inmate had served approximately 11 years and 10 months and had more than 30 years remaining to serve. His actual release date is scheduled for May 13, 2057.
Is It True That a Rape-Murder Convict Serves Only 10 Years?
The Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, issued an official statement addressing the claim.
Corrections Department Clarifies: Train Murder Convict Received a Final Death Sentence and Remains Under Strict Confinement at Bang Kwang Central Prison
Regarding social media posts claiming that the inmate in the train rape and murder case involving a 14-year-old schoolgirl—who was sentenced to death—received multiple royal pardons and served only 12 years in prison, the Department of Corrections stated that the information was false and factually inaccurate and could mislead the public.
The inmate was sentenced to death for offenses including offenses against life, rape, theft, offenses against officials in the administration of justice, and violations of the Narcotics Act. He has been detained since July 8, 2014.
His sentence was subsequently reduced in accordance with the applicable legal criteria and general Royal Decrees on Pardon, as follows:
- Royal Decree on Pardon (2019): The death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
- Royal Decree on Pardon (2024): The life sentence was reduced to a fixed term of 42 years, 10 months, and 9 days.
The inmate remains incarcerated at Bang Kwang Central Prison. He has served 11 years, 10 months, and 22 days, calculated from July 8, 2014, and has 30 years, 11 months, and 22 days remaining to serve. His scheduled release date is May 13, 2057.
He has not been released and has not served only 12 years as claimed. Authorities continue to maintain strict supervision of the inmate in accordance with the Department of Corrections’ highest security measures.
The Department of Corrections reaffirmed that its operations are transparent, straightforward, and conducted in accordance with the justice system to ensure public safety. It also urged the public to rely primarily on official government sources to avoid misunderstandings and to help maintain public confidence in the country’s justice system.
Clarification from the Department of Corrections.
Verification Process
- Data Collection: The contents of the social media post were reviewed, including the victim’s name, case details, date of the offense, and the alleged release date.
- Primary Source Verification: Thai PBS Verify contacted the Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, the government agency directly responsible for the custody of inmates and the administration of their sentences.
- Synthesis and Conclusion: The official clarification from the Department of Corrections concerning the actual sentence, sentence reductions, and scheduled release date was compared with the claims made in the social media post. The evidence confirmed that the claims in the post were false.
Impact of the False Information
- Creates Public Alarm and Fear: The false claim may lead the public to believe that dangerous criminals are released back into society after serving only a short period, potentially creating unnecessary fear and concern about public safety.
- Undermines Confidence in the Justice System: It may create the false impression that Thai law imposes insufficient penalties for serious crimes and that the correctional system is ineffective.
- Causes Further Distress to the Victim’s Family: Reintroducing a traumatic case into public discussion using false information may unnecessarily reopen painful memories for the victim’s family.
- Misdirects Public Anger: The false claim may encourage public condemnation of laws and government agencies based on inaccurate information.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Pause Before Believing: When encountering information that triggers intense anger, grief, or fear, pause and consider that it may be false or misleading.
- Verify the Source: Check where the information originated. If it comes from a personal social media post without credible supporting evidence, such as official documents or reports from reputable news organizations, do not immediately assume that it is accurate.
- Cross-Check with Official Agencies: For high-profile cases and legal matters, verify information directly through the official websites or social media accounts of relevant government agencies, such as the Department of Corrections, the Ministry of Justice, or the Royal Thai Police.
- Use Fact-Checking Resources: Search for additional information using relevant keywords or consult established fact-checking organizations such as Thai PBS Verify.
- Do Not Share or Comment Until Verified: Any interaction with a post can increase its visibility through the platform’s recommendation algorithms. If a post is verified as false, report it directly to the platform.
