Den Khamlae

Den Khamlae
เด่น คำแหล้
Disappeared16 April 2016
Khok Yao Forest, Khon San District, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand
SpouseSuphap 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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e Reporters, Post (April 22, 2016). "Activist goes missing amid land dispute". Bangkok Post. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  2. ^ "Blessing ceremony for freed land-rights activist". nationthailand. January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  3. ^ "7 Years after Disappearance of Den Khamlae, Justice Still Delayed | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. April 20, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Wongsamuth, Nanchanok (August 21, 2016). "Where hope has vanished". Bangkok Post. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  5. ^ "Den Khamlae - The disappearing face of a land rights movement - The Isaan Record". web.archive.org. October 31, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  6. ^ "ครบรอบ 1 ปี "เด่น คำแหล้" หายตัวไป". Thai PBS (in Thai). Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  7. ^ "DSI looks for evidence of 2016 activist disappearance". nationthailand. September 5, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  8. ^ "7 ปีที่สูญหาย 'เด่น คำแหล้' นักต่อสู้เพื่อสิทธิที่ดิน ภายใต้ยุค 'ทวงคืนผืนป่า' | ประชาไท". prachatai.com (in Thai). 2025-01-13. Retrieved 2025-01-13.