Elisabetta Polenghi, sister of Italian journalist Fabio who was killed during the April-May unrest, has sent a letter to the Thai Embassy in Italy in response to the latter's invitation for her to attend a celebration of the King's birthday this year.

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Milano, 2 Dicember 2010

ATT: Mr. Somsakdi Suriyawongse
Royal Thai Embassy,
Via Nomentana, 132
00162, Roma, Italy

Your Excellency Somsakdi Suriyawongse, Ambassador to Thailand,

It was much to my surprise that, opening my mail, I found an invitation to attend the party for the 83rd birthday of your revered King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

I am sure you will understand that in the present situation, I am forced to decline. The
reasons, for which I cannot accept, I imagine are more than understandable.

As you know, despite our remarkable collaboration, a clear sign of confidence and will on our part to reach a definition of this matter through diplomatic and civil solutions, combined with total determination and cooperation, unfortunately, did not produce the desired outcomes. It is a bitter reality, again compounded by your invitation which clearly indicates that there is not the slightest awareness of the seriousness of the situation, which I and my family are living. After more than six months, the circumstances of Fabio's death and the results of the investigations, carried out by the Thai authorities, have not yet been made known to us. The "efforts" of the Thai authorities, in this sense, can certainly not be considered satisfactory or exhaustive.

How can we participate in your joy, with all due respect, having still not received answers regarding the personal effects of Fabio, which apparently disappeared into thin
air, similarly to the subtraction of the camera taken by a man, still unidentified by local authorities, despite the many images that we immediately made available to you. Nor have we received a response regarding the request to place a plaque in memory of Fabio at the place where he was killed... Quite frankly, we would have expected a reply from you on this latter point if only for reasons of courtesy towards the family.

Certainly, the institutions in Thailand have made offers of financial compensation as you well know. We believe that these offers are absolutely inappropriate, not to mention incongrous, and although we do not doubt your good faith we believe it is an obvious attempt to close our mouths and pay back the dignity of our Fabio with a little money. Obviously, the economic aspect is in second order for us when compared to the matter of establishing the true circumstances that led to the death of our dear family member, the protection of human rights and the upholding of those recognised values of justice and democracy for which Fabio sacrificed his life.

I wish a Happy Birthday and long life to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej whom, I would
immagine, after all the blood shed during the riots will also be waiting for justice for Thailand's citizens and, like us, will be living moments of great suffering and embarassment due to how the local authorities are treating the relatives of the many victims.

I reserve the right to inform the Press on the matter.

I look forward to receiving news from you, at the soonest, regarding the circumstances of the death of my brother, Fabio, together with a demonstration of active collaboration on your side in the search for the truth of this matter.

Best regards,

Elisabetta Polenghi