From: Elisabetta Polenghi <elisabetta@fabiopolenghi.org>
To: Elisabetta Polenghi <elisabetta@fabiopolenghi.org>
Sent: Thu, December 2, 2010 10:16:16 PM
Subject: Elisabetta Polenghi Here is my reply....
My name is Elisabetta Polenghi,
I'm younger sister of Fabio Polenghi reporter killed in Bangkok while
documenting the crackdown, May 19, 2010 .
The Thai Embassy in Rome sent me an invitation to celebrate the
birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
It seemed only right answer.
Regards,
Elisabetta Polenghi
ELISABETTA POLENGHI
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
althou 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 - Via Pestalozzi, 3, 20143, Milano, Italy
Thai authorities appear to want to provoke a negative reaction at a time when it would be best to say nothing.
ReplyDeleteSending Fabio's sister an invitation to HM birthday is not an appropriate thing to do at this delicate moment.
The Thai embassy has shown little tact or cultural sensitivity at a difficult time for Fabio's family.
Likewise, the offer of "blood money" in return for silence, is yet more evidence of the Thai authories total lack of respect for Fabio and his family.