CHANTHABURI, Thailand – For people waiting for a case to move forward, delays can mean prolonged uncertainty and distress. That concern was central to an October 2 meeting between Chanthaburi’s newly appointed police commander, Pol. Maj. Gen. Tharathep Tupanich, and Provincial Chief Prosecutor Keerati Kaenkaew.
Keerati and fellow prosecutors welcomed the police chief and his delegation to the Chanthaburi Provincial Public Prosecutor’s Office for a courtesy visit that also addressed practical cooperation between prosecutors and investigating officers.
Discussions focused on closer coordination, monitoring case files and expediting outstanding work to prevent backlogs. The shared objective was timely, thorough and effective handling of cases, while protecting the rights of all parties and placing the public interest first. The office’s published responsibilities also extend to safeguarding state interests, protecting citizens’ rights and providing legal assistance.
For Keerati, the Chanthaburi appointment continues a career that has combined prosecution work with an interest in access to justice and child protection.
His service on the Eastern Seaboard stretches back more than a decade. A 2014 Royal Gazette announcement recorded his transfer from Deputy Provincial Prosecutor in Rayong to the corresponding position in Pattaya. In 2025, he returned to a senior prosecution role in Pattaya, before taking up his current post in Chanthaburi.
Known to friends and colleagues as “Ob,” Keerati brings an international academic background to his work. According to Pattaya Mail’s profile published in April 2025, he graduated in law from Chulalongkorn University and subsequently earned master’s degrees in law from Case Western Reserve University in the United States and BPP University in the United Kingdom. His career has also included service in Nakhon Nayok and Maha Sarakham.
The Thailand Institute of Justice lists him among its Rule of Law for Development programme fellows, recording his participation in 2018. That professional connection adds another dimension to a career concerned with how justice serves society.
Beyond his official duties, Keerati has been involved with the Safeguard Kids Foundation since 2013. Pattaya Mail has reported on his contributions to efforts to strengthen legal protections for children and improve enforcement against abuse.
In December 2025, he joined the foundation’s national short-film awards ceremony at Pattaya City School 11 as a board member and deputy secretary-general. The competition attracted 238 teams from schools and universities, encouraging young people to use film to raise awareness of child sexual abuse. Keerati received recognition for his dedication to the foundation and support for the project.
His connections to Pattaya also extend through his family. He is married to Dr Darin Phanthusak, whose support for child welfare and education carries forward the public-service legacy of her late father, Senator Sutham Phanthusak. Pattaya Mail has documented the family’s participation in events honouring that legacy.
The October 2 visit brings the focus back to the everyday work of justice: keeping cases moving, resolving outstanding work and ensuring that careful handling goes hand in hand with timely decisions. Its significance will ultimately rest on what that cooperation delivers for the people awaiting answers.
