‘Pattaya Drum Murder’ Defendants Avoid Maximum Sentence in First Trial... Bereaved Family Demands Death Penalty and Identity Disclosure

"Is my brother's life worth only this much?"

The sister who lost her brother in the so-called 'Thailand Pattaya Drum Murder Case' said this to the press immediately after the first trial verdict on the 16th.

The sister, Ms. A, said, "There is a possibility that he might not serve the full sentence and be released on parole. The sentence should be much heavier than today's verdict."

She tearfully said, "Especially, the main culprit should receive the death penalty. My brother was only 34 years old, and now he cannot come back."

The defendants, 20-something A and B, and 30-something C, kidnapped a tourist visiting Pattaya, Thailand, murdered him, then mutilated and abandoned the body.

They then called the victim's family, pretending the victim was still alive, and threatened, "Your son caused us a loss by throwing away our drugs, so if you don't send 100 million won to your son's account, we will kill him."

Family members of the victim in the 'Thailand Pattaya Drum Murder Case' urging severe punishment for the perpetrator during the first trial of the first instance. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

Ms. A said the day the threatening call was made was the same day the victim's father was hospitalized for chemotherapy.

The victim's father, who received the call while on his way to the hospital, almost stopped eating and drinking, and finally passed away in November last year.

The mother who lost her son is also weakening day by day, and Ms. A, who is responding to the investigation and trial alone instead of her sisters in the United States, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Before the sentencing trial, Ms. A's hands were as cold as ice when we met in the courthouse hallway. She complained of tension, saying her heart was beating so fast she was out of breath, and after the verdict, she expressed her anger.

Ms. A explained, "Defendants charged with serious crimes are said to have their identities withheld during the trial. In this case, the three suspects were arrested separately, and since the arrested suspects were already indicted, their identities could not be disclosed."

She urged, "The law should be changed so that the identities of defendants in such serious cases are disclosed immediately," calling for the disclosure of the identities of the three defendants in this case.

She added, "The court acknowledged all the charges, but the sentences handed down are unacceptable. The defendants must be sentenced to death," reiterating her demand.

She continued, "I plan to discuss with the prosecution and appeal. We will fight to the end to ensure they receive heavier sentences."

On that day, the 4th Criminal Division of Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam (Chief Judge Kim In-taek) sentenced 26-year-old A to 25 years in prison, 28-year-old B to life imprisonment, and 40-something C to 30 years in prison in the so-called 'Thailand Pattaya Drum Murder Case.'

They were also ordered to wear electronic location tracking devices for 10 years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.