Environmental activist shot dead

PA KLOK: Environmental activist Jurin Rachapol, 50, was shot dead this morning while out collecting cashew nut leaves for salad. Pol Capt Anan Jengjit of Thalang Police Station said that K. Jurin went into the forest around 9 am with his wife. He was shot three times; two bullets hit his left shoulder while the third hit his head, killing him instantly. “Currently, the suspect in this case is still at large because K. Jurin’s wife is in shock and has not yet been able to give us much information of value to our investigation,” said Capt Anan. K. Jurin’s body was taken to Thalang Hospital to await transfer to Bangkok, where an autopsy will be performed. A source who asked not to be named told the Gazette that K. Jurin was an activist opposed to mangrove forest incursion by a “big investor” who had set up a prawn farm. “Last Monday, K. Jurin was threatened by staff of the farm, who fired six shots into the air when he went into the forest to find cashew nut leaves,” said the source. “He stopped going for a week. This was the first time since then that he had gone into the forest.” Another activist opposed to the prawn farm, Siripoj Cheechang, was run over by a pick-up truck in October. (See also Gazette Online story, October 5, 2000.) Though badly injured, he survived. The source said, “Earlier, we were told by staff of the farm that K Siripoj’s case should serve as an example to any activist opposing this particular investor.”