Red Notices sought for Tak Bai defendants
Discussed: 12 Oct 2024 at 08: 10
As the Tak Bai case is about to expire on October 25, Pheu Thai Party ( PTP ) member and party-list MP Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri’s fate is not yet known. He was in charge of the Fourth Army Region during the 2004 Tak Bai massacre.
Mr Phumtham, even the defence secretary, said on Friday that he had discussed the matter with the military commander-in-chief and federal police commander, insisting on good treatment for those involved.
But, Mr. Phumtham, a Pheu Thai deputy president, said that since Gen Pisal has not yet been found guilty, and that the group has not yet decided to remove him or beg him to retire when asked what will happen if one of the important men involved in the incident returns from his health care internationally after the 20-year statute of limitations expires.
He added that Gen Pisal is required to go through legal proceedings because he had an arrest warrant issued by the Narathiwat Provincial Court despite being protected by resistance as an MP.
When asked about the group’s criticism of its involvement in the case, Mr. Phumtham responded that Gen Pisal’s situation is viewed as a private matter and that associated parties are required to follow all legal instructions.
” The party does not care about the lack of Gen Pisal. It is a specific topic. Do not make it a social issue, as it will be damaging to society”, he added.
Mr. Phumtham claimed he was unaware of the fact that Gen. Pisal apparently received permission to travel for clinical purposes. According to an earlier statement, Gen Pisal filed a leave of absence from the House until Oct 30, after the statute’s deadline.
The Royal Thai Police, according to National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, had contacted Interpol to challenge Red Finds for defendants evading the permits, including Gen Pisal.
The RTP even issued messages to every municipal police sector, including Division 9, which looks after Narathiwat. Security forces staged a protest in front of the police place in the Tak Bai district on October 25, 2004, which led to the Tak Bai drama.