PM urged to push for Tak Bai arrests

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Pheu Thai MP is one of the people who could avoid being charged if the police do n’t act quickly.

PUBLISHED: 25 Sep 2024 at 21: 28

Protesters have their hands tied behind their backs after security authorities cracked down on a protest rally outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat on Oct 25, 2004. Hundreds were arrested and 78 died while being transported to an army camp in overloaded army trucks. (Bangkok Post file photo)
After security forces detained a protest rally outside the Tak Bai authorities depot in Narathiwat on October 25, 2004, activists in Narathiwat have their hands tied behind their backs. 78 people died while being transported to an military camp in overwhelmed military vehicles and hundreds were arrested. ( Bangkok Post file photo )

As the test date approaches, opposition MP Romadon Panjor has urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to take more action to ensure that authorities immediately prosecute those responsible for the 2004 Tak Bai murder.

The Women’s Party MP also urged the general public to join the major opposition party in carefully monitoring the progress of the cases, as there is only one month until their 20-year statute of limitations expires on October 25.

According to Mr. Romadon,” I believe Prime Minister Paetongtarn could do more about this in her capacity as the head of the Pheu Thai Party.”

He directed her as PM to train Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to make sure that security forces and police take action sooner to ensure that the Tak Bai cases are brought before jury before it is too late.

Despite his claims of parliamentary immunity, according to Mr. Romadon, there has n’t been any further action by the police to prosecute Pheu Thai MP Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri after the police requested that he be brought to justice.

One of the seven defendants in a case centered on security personnel ‘ management of a demonstration outside the Tak Bai police stop in Narathiwat on October 25, 2004, is Gen Pisal.

As officers attempted to break up the presentation, seven activists died of gunshots. After thousands of prisoners were loaded into military trucks to transport them to a station two hours away, another 78 were crushed or suffocated to death.

Thaksin Shinawatra, the then-prime secretary, apologised for the Tak Bai tragedy but shied away from accepting role. No one has ever been charged with a crime for the murders.

Mr. Wan made it clear that the legal prosecution could be freely executed as long as Gen Pisal’s House meeting duties wo n’t interfere with attending the trial in Narathiwat.

When the first witness exam hearing on September 12 took place, Gen Pisal and six other defendants were not present. While Gen Pisal’s reputation was being reviewed, arrest warrants were issued for the six. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stated on Tuesday that he had never seen a search permit for the MP.

Gen Pisal will now be brought to stand trial on October 15, according to Mr. Romadon, who will not attend a House meet.

In a associated event, the Attorney-General on Sept 12 resolved to prosecute eight more defendants, including a former chief of the 5th Infantry Division. According to Mr. Romadon, it is now the role of both the officers and the security forces to bring all of these offenders to justice for their indictments.

He claimed that the Internal Security Operations Command ( Isoc ) has convened a meeting for September 30 to discuss what to do if the statute of limitations on this case also expires.