Tomoko’s parents and Japanese delegation met with DSI regarding the ongoing investigation

Tomoko’s parents and Japanese delegation met with DSI regarding the ongoing investigation

            On November 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Police Lieutenant General Rutthapon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, assigned the Department of Special Investigation to welcome Mr. Yasuaki and Mrs. Eiko Kawashita, parents of Miss Tomoko Kawashita, the Japanese tourist who was murdered at Wat Saphan Hin in Sukhothai Province on November 25, 2007. The two parents, along with Mr. Naoto Watanabe, First Secretary and Police Attaché, and the delegation from the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, came the DSI to discuss the investigation progress of the case. Police Captain Wisanu Chimtrakool, Deputy Director-General, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanchai Likitkantasorn, Director of Bureau of Security Crime, Mr. Udomkaan Worotamasikkhadit, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime, and Mr. Suwapitch Manopas, Deputy Director of Bureau of Security Crime, as the investigation team, welcomed the Japanese delegation at the Reception Room, 2^nd floor, Rajaburi Direkriddhi Building, the Government Complex.

            Both parties exchanged information and discussed investigation issues with the DSI’s Bureau of Security Crime confirming that the case is still under investigation and its coordination with the Japanese police is continually maintained. Mr. Kawashita, the victim’s father, suggested for the Thai government’s consideration for the statute of limitations be exempted for murder cases, identical to Japan’s practice. The DSI will compile the suggestions in the meeting to request for further consideration of high level executives of the Ministry of justice.