NARATHIWAT (Southern Thailand) – Today (September 12, 2024) marks another significant day for the families and victims of the “Bloody Tak Bai Incident of 2004.”
On August 23, 2024, the Narathiwat Provincial Court ruled that there were criminal elements involved by Thai government officials in the tragedy, which resulted in 78 people suffocating to death while in custody and eight others being shot dead while trying to disperse the protest.
Following this, the court ordered seven out of nine senior government officials – including a military commander, who were sued by the victims and their families – to defend themselves against criminal charges and human rights violations.
The court found there were legal grounds to proceed with the claims against the seven officials for charges of murder, attempted murder, and unlawful detention.
All of them were ordered to testify at the Narathiwat Provincial Court on September 12 (today), without any arrest warrants being issued.
However, they were warned that arrest warrants would be issued if they failed to attend the trial three times.
It is important to note that by October 25 this year, it will mark 20 years since the bloody incident occurred.
According to Thai law, any case unresolved within 20 years can no longer be brought to court.
The pressing question is whether all seven defendants will appear today to defend themselves.
Citing a statement from the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights of Thailand, Kamonsak Leewamoh, to Apa Khabar TV earlier.
“Time is running out before we reach the 20-year limit. There are several possibilities in this case. Among them, the defendants may attend court to defend themselves.
“They can delay their court appearances by providing reasons, including health issues (which can be accepted by the court), until the date of October 25 is reached.
“They may not show up at all without valid reasons, or their reasons may be rejected by the court. In this case, arrest warrants would be issued.
“In the event of arrest warrants being issued, if the police fail to apprehend them before October 25, the case can no longer be brought to court.”
Among those ordered to testify are former Narathiwat Provincial Governor Wichom Thongsong, 78 years old; and a Member of Parliament (MP) from Thailand, General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, 74.
The others are:
- Former Commander of the 5th Infantry Regiment of the Thai Army, Lt Gen Sinchai Nutasathit;
- Former Director of the Royal Thai Police Front Command Center, Pol Gen Wongkot Maneerin;
- Former Commander of Region 9 Police, Pol Gen Manoch Kraiwong;
- Former Superintendent of the Narathiwat Police Station (Tak Bai District), Pol Maj Gen Saksommai Puttakul; and
- Former Deputy Director of the Southern Border Peace Promotion Division and former Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Siwa Saengmanee.
Regarding General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, who is also an MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Romadon Panjor, an MP from the Prachachon Party, expressed concerns that the defendant might use his privileges as an MP to avoid attending court since Parliament is currently in session.
Among the privileges provided to MPs under the Thai Constitution are:
“During parliamentary sessions, no member of the House of Representatives or Senate may be arrested, detained, or summoned for investigation as a suspect in a criminal case without permission from the House to which they belong.”
For the record, General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, 74, is the first defendant. During the incident, he was the Commander of the 4th Army Region, responsible for Southern Thailand.
The Bloody Tak Bai Incident of 2004 occurred when Thaksin Shinawatra was Thailand’s 23rd Prime Minister. Now, Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is the Prime Minister of Thailand.
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