<p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/asia/thailand">Thai</a>&nbsp;authorities should promptly and independently investigate the death of an army conscript from apparent torture while detained in a military jail, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should also undertake a broader campaign to end the longstanding use of corporal punishment in the armed forces, including by prosecuting military commanders for serious offenses by soldiers under their command.</p>

<p>Believing that her son was beaten to death in a military base, the mother of a 22-year-old private has vowed not to cremate the body until the investigation into her son’s death is complete.</p> <p>Private Yutthakinan Bunniam of Vibhavadee Rangsit Military Base in southern Surat Thani Province&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailynews.co.th/regional/565654">died</a>&nbsp;on 1 April 2017, after being taken to hospital from the military base the day before.</p> <p>The late private was earlier detained in a military prison within the base for allegedly violating discipline.</p>