Critics have criticised the justice system’s disappointment to trial the defendants in the Tak Bai murder case before the statute of limitations had already passed.
They are bringing forth more enquiries for rules changes to improve performance in the justice system, like as extending the statute of limitations for criminal offense prosecution.
Spectators also predicted that the government’s inaction could lead to more insurgents in the restive heavy north, where locals may have lost faith in the judiciary and the government.
They warned that if righteousness is delayed further or denied, the security situation in the area might get worse, making it harder for the Paetongtarn state to achieve harmony there.
The Tak Bai case’s 20-year statute of limitations came to an end at 11.59pm on October 25, and the Narathiwat Provincial Court issued a closing date of the case on October 28.
Seven Arab protesters were killed on October 25, 2004, in Narathiwat province’s Tak Bai officers place.
Another 78 people eventually passed away in Pattani state, about 150 kilometers away, from suffocation or instrument failure while being transported in trucks to a military hospital.
Before the distribution, activists had been demanding the launch of six prisoners. During Thaksin Shinawatra’s rule, the Dapat Bai horror occurred.
The families of the victims filed a complaint with the Narathiwat Provincial Court in April of this year, alleging that nine previous leading officers had committed death and other atrocities.
In August, the jury accepted the petition against seven individuals, including former Pheu Thai record MP Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, who served as the Fifth Army Place captain, Pol Lt Gen Wongkot Maneerin, next secretary federal police chief, and Maj Gen Chalermchai Wirunpeth, who commanded the 5th Infantry Regiment at the time.
Maj Gen Chalermchai, the attorney-general, was a suspect in both instances on September 12 when the attorney-general filed a complaint against eight offenders with the Pattani Provincial Court. Overall, 14 offenders were found.
Another source of public indignation was the return to work of Wissanu Lertsongkram, one of the Tak Bai accused, the day after the event expired.
He is currently the district’s Tha Uthen district’s assistant district main in Nakhon Phanom.
In 2004, Mr. Wissanu was a man assigned to generate a military vehicle to remove activists from the opposition site.
He requested depart from Oct 16 to Oct 18, but the city key disapproved once the warrant was made, and he requested that he be granted an arrest warrant on October 15. But, Mr Wissanu went excluded independently.
His plea for leave of absence has sparked rumors that he anticipated the jury order. Anutin Charnvirakul, the interior minister, stepped in to launch a probe after his arrival after the event had expired.
The government decided against dismissing Mr. Wissanu because he had already started working within 15 days.
Officials may get fired without question if they are absent for more than 15 times without giving a reason for it. In the event of shorter suspensions, fines may result from reprimands or pay reductions.
Calls for legislation shifts
Kamolsak: Inquiry section to get set up
Kamolsak Leewamoh, a Prachachat Party MP for Narathiwat, told the Bangkok Post that the House committee on laws, righteousness, and human rights may set up an inquiry panel to investigate the case.
The board will also look into possible changes to the criminal prosecution statute of limitations.
Is it time to update the rules governing fatalities caused by law enforcement while on work? He requested, noting that the board will also observe the delay in handling the Tak Bai case with the authorities.
Mr. Kamolsak questioned whether injustice frequently contributes to southern crime as a result of the Tak Bai case’s validity.
The lawsuit brought by the victims ‘ families is the first attempt by locals to seek justice through legal means.
Recently, another locals killed by regulators had households who chose not to pursue legal actions.
” In the southeastern issue, whichever side gains the aid of local people has the benefit”, he said.
Jade: Affects trust in fairness
According to Jade Donavanik, a scholar and head of the College of Asian Scholars ‘ faculty of law, the authorities ‘ inability to provide justice has undermined public confidence in the justice system.
He concurred with calls to alter laws to make sure that the statute of limitations in legal and corruption cases is sufficient to hold offenders responsible.
Mr. Jade argued that the government cannot avoid being held accountable for allowing the circumstance to disappear.
” This was an supervision by the concerned government and the state”, he said.
” There were several methods available to provide the plaintiffs to righteousness, but no motion was taken”, he added.
Prior to the request for an executive order to extend the statute of limitations in the Tak Bai situation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declined to comment.
The idea was first proposed at a public platform by Assoc Prof Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor at Thammasat University, who urged the government to acquire an executive order under Section 29 of the law.
In light of the Tak Bai case’s rejection of justice, Mr. Jade added that regional areas in the deep southern may now be less eager to engage with authorities.
Injustice and Discord
Krisanaphong: Extend statute of limitations
The failing to prosecute accused in the Tak Bai situation could be used by insurgents, according to Pol Lt Col Krisanaphong Poothakool, vice president and associate professor of sociology at Rangsit University, adding further to the undermining of native confidence in the government.
He claimed that the event was allowed to end because the prosecution did not take adequate steps to prosecute the accused.
Growing concerns about the inability to prosecute accused could be used by insurgents to fuel violence, he said.
Pol Lt Col Krisanaphong backed calls for constitutional changes to make it easier for criminal defendants to avoid fleeing righteousness.
Angkhana: Culture of violence for officials
Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, director of the Senate committee on social development, public cooperation, human rights, liberty, and consumer safety, said the failure to provide justice highlighted a culture of impunity among state officials.
It also points to a government’s failure to defend and uphold human rights, she said.
She added that the Senate committee will prepare a report on the Tak Bai case, along with recommendations to stop similar problems, such as expanding the criminal case’s statute of limitations.
Despite the case’s expiration, victims ‘ families can still file complaints under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances Act, according to Ms. Angkhana.
She mentioned that four people are still missing in connection with the Tak Bai incident.