NARATHIWAT (Southern Thailand): Prachachat, a political party popular among the people of Southern Thailand, continues to urge the authorities, particularly the police, to intensify efforts to arrest the suspects involved in the 2004 Tak Bai Tragedy, as the statute of limitations for the case will expire at midnight on October 25.
Prachachat spokesperson, Kamonsak Leewamoh, said the party takes the case seriously because, to this day, the authorities have failed to arrest the suspects, even though the court issued arrest warrants last month.
“Although we (Prachachat) are part of the ruling government, we want to see all relevant agencies, especially the police, intensify efforts to capture the suspects.
“We are not neglecting this case and want to see the trial take place, ensuring justice for the people.
“As the public knows, yesterday (October 15), none of the seven individuals with arrest warrants were brought before the court.
“However, the court has neither dismissed nor closed the case. The trial is scheduled for October 28. This does not mean the case is extended beyond that date.
“The statute of limitations remains until midnight on October 25. If the suspects are captured before then, they will be brought to court on October 28 for trial.
“If not, the court will still convene on October 28, but it will declare the case closed due to the 20-year statute of limitations,” Kamonsak explained.
Kamonsak, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Narathiwat (Constituency 5) and known as Wan Johan, emphasized that the court’s decision to proceed with the trial reflects its intention to continue pursuing justice.
As Chairman of the Parliament’s Legal, Justice, and Human Rights Committee, he urged others not to blame the families and victims of the tragedy for seeking justice.
“Some parties have questioned why the victims and their families are only now filing lawsuits and seeking justice. Such remarks are inappropriate, as the investigations have been ongoing for years,” he said.
In a recent interview with Apa Khabar TV, Wan Johan said that his committee had summoned police representatives to step up efforts in capturing the suspects.
“We continue to pressure the police to intensify the manhunt. We were informed that two of the suspects are currently in London and Japan,” he said, referring to the first defendant, Thai MP General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, 74, and former Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, General Chalermchai Wirunphet.
He further noted that individuals holding public office, such as MPs, must set a good and ethical example when dealing with such situations.
“One cannot simply return to Thailand and live as if nothing happened after October 25, when the statute of limitations expires. The public is watching closely.
“This case is about justice for society as a whole, reflecting the importance of follow-up investigations, actions, and arrests leading to a fair trial,” he stressed.
Leave a Reply