Thailand carried out its first executions by lethal...

Thailand carried out its first executions by lethal injection after abolishing the firing squad, putting to death three drug traffickers and a murderer at the notorious Bang Kwang jail, officials said. The corrections department said Bunluea Nakprasit, Panthapong Sinthusung and Wibul Panasutha were arrested in May 1999 on charges of producing 115,800 methamphetamine tablets. The fourth condemned man was hired gunman Panom Thongchanglek from the southern province of Chumporn who was arrested in June 1999.
"The Supreme Court upheld their death sentences," Corrections Department director general Nathee Chitsawang told reporters.
"We have for the first time switched to lethal injection on humanitarian grounds because this method is less painful," he said at the jail, better known as the "Bangkok Hilton", on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Nathee said three drugs were used in the executions - the first sedated the convict, the second relaxed the muscles and the third stopped the heart.
Amnesty International condemned the executions and said the new method did not change the fact the death penalty was wrong and inhumane.
"Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the resumption of executions and calls on authorities to impose an immediate moratorium," it said, adding that it believed up to 64 prisoners on death row faced imminent execution.
"The death penalty has no unique deterrent effect upon crime and we call on Thai authorities to find other avenues to address drug problems and other serious offences."