Thailand-
The head correctional officer overseeing Zone 5 at Klong Prem Central Prison has been shifted to a desk job amid a deepening probe into the mysterious death of Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Uththanaphon, the disgraced former Nakhon Sawan police chief.
Thitisan, who was serving a life sentence for the brutal torture and murder of a drug suspect in a case that shocked Thailand, was discovered lifeless in his cell late Friday evening as we reported here. Authorities from the Department of Corrections quickly labeled the death a suicide, stating that Thitisan was found slumped against his cell door, a thin strip of fabric—estimated between 100 and 127 centimeters long—tightly knotted around his neck. To bolster their claim, officials released snippets of CCTV footage purportedly showing Thitisan entering his cell alone shortly before the grim discovery.
The incident has brought public scrutiny, especially given Thitisan’s rocky history with prison staff. Just weeks before his death, he had lodged a formal grievance against Sitthiporn Kaewkambang, the Zone 5 supervisor now reassigned, alleging mistreatment and even physical violence at the hands of guards. Thitisan’s family has since doubled down on these accusations, claiming he’d been targeted and beaten by prison personnel on multiple occasions.
According to the Department of Corrections, Thitisan’s mental state had been fragile; he’d been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and was kept apart from other inmates for his own protection. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stepped in to clarify that this wasn’t solitary confinement in the traditional sense—Thitisan’s quarters were larger than standard cells, a detail thats sparked debate on X about whether this was preferential treatment or a subtle form of isolation.
Meanwhile, the Phrachachuen Police Station, tasked with handling Thitisan’s assault complaint, has hit roadblocks. Earlier attempts to investigate were stymied when prison officials barred entry to the facility, a move that’s drawn sharp criticism online. Now, with Thitisan’s death thrusting the case into the spotlight, investigators have been ordered to formally request access through the Department of Corrections’ Director-General. Plans are underway to interview five or six individuals—witnesses, staff who responded, and nearby prisoners—to piece together the events of that night.
Thitisan’s lawyer, Weerasak Nakin, has confirmed that forensic tests are in progress, with blood and tissue samples sent for analysis. Results, expected within two to three weeks, will be handed over to Phrachachuen police, though Weerasak stressed that no conclusions will be drawn until the data is fully reviewed. Following a religious ceremony, the family has opted to preserve Thitisan’s body rather than proceed with cremation, seeking clarity on his final moments. During a recent meeting with medical experts, relatives pressed for details about the autopsy process and prior health assessments.
Weerasak, reflecting on his last conversations with Thitisan, said their talks centered on legal strategies, including a potential appeal of his life sentence. Topics like personal assets never came up, he noted, and while he knew Thitisan was housed separately, the reasoning behind it remained unclear to him. As for Sitthiporn’s reassignment, Weerasak stayed neutral, suggesting it’s likely routine protocol under such circumstances—a cautious stance that hasn’t quelled the speculation swirling online.
Online today, March 10th, 2025, the case is a hot topic. Posts range from tributes to Thitisan’s victim—reviving outrage over his 2021 crime—to theories about foul play in his death. Some users question why a high-profile inmate like “Joe Ferrari” wasn’t under closer watch.
