Death upheld for Nong Kaem’s killer

The Appeals Court has upheld the death sentence imposed on a former railway employee for the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl on a train travelling from Nakhon Si Thammathat to Bangkok on July 5 last year.

The Appeals Court’s verdict was read out in the Hua Hin Provincial Court yesterday before Wanchai Saengkhao, 23, convicted of raping Nong Kaem before throwing her off the train while she was still alive.

Wanchai had been brought from Bang Khwang Prison in Bangkok, where he was jailed after being convicted, to Prachuap Khiri Khan Prison on Friday.

On Sept 30, 2014, the Hua Hin Provincial Court found Wanchai guilty on several counts.

Wanchai was convicted of raping the Mathayom 2 student who was asleep in her berth on the train, and throwing her out of the carriage. She was later found dead by the tracks.

The court sentenced him to death for murder, to nine years in prison for raping a girl under 15, five years for stealing her tablet computer and mobile phone, one year for hiding her body and six months for using methamphetamine.

The defendant appealed for mercy as he had confessed in an act of repentance. The court rejected the appeal, arguing Wanchai had confessed because the evidence against him was solid, not because he regretted his actions.

The State Railway of Thailand has paid the girl’s family about 8.5 million baht in compensation, plus funeral costs. The girl’s relatives were present in court for the decision. The family said the money could not compensate for their loss and sorrow.