Wrongfully jailed man sues

Cops relent after family battles to clear his name, writes Nujaree Raekrun

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Phuris Saitong, a 23-year-old man from Nakhon Si Thammarat, has vowed to take legal action against the police who he claims falsely imprisoned him for an attempted murder he did not commit.

Mr Phuris was released from Nakhon Si Thammarat Correctional Institution for Young Offenders on Wednesday after spending five unjust nights behind bars.

Upon his release, Mr Phuris rushed to embrace his mother and knelt at his uncle's feet, overwhelmed with emotion. He has since vowed to hold accountable the officers who fabricated the charges against him.

Mr Phuris's case came to public attention after his uncle, Boonserm Thongsong, the chairman of the Ton Wa Community, took his complaint to reporters.

On April 11, Mr Phuris was arrested on charges of attempted murder with a firearm, after a shooting incident on April 8. Two youths were injured, one male critically and the female with arm injuries.

Despite clear evidence of his innocence, Mr Phuris was detained at the centre for five nights, during which he repeatedly tried to present his alibi and evidence, but was ignored by the police.