PUBLISHED : 30 Sep 2024 at 18:31
A recent car bomb explosion in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat may be connected to an impending mass killing court case, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The case is set to expire on October 25, intensifying public scrutiny.
“It is possible,” Phumtham stated regarding the potential link between the bomb and the court case. “The Tak Bai case is receiving significant attention as the statute of limitations approaches its deadline.”
The Deputy Prime Minister, who also serves as the defense minister, confirmed that authorities are actively investigating the relationship between the two incidents.
In light of the explosion, Phumtham urged residents in the border district to avoid the blast area for their safety and to carry identification when leaving home.
The explosion occurred near the district chief’s residence at approximately 9:50 PM on Sunday, injuring two soldiers and causing damage to surrounding structures, as reported by the Internal Security Operations Command.
This violent act comes just weeks before the high-profile court case that has captivated public concern.
The Tak Bai tragedy of October 25, 2004, resulted in the deaths of 85 individuals, primarily due to suffocation while being transported by military forces. The incident followed a protest at the Tak Bai police station where demonstrators demanded the release of detainees.
The Provincial Court in Narathiwat is currently reviewing a case filed by families of the victims of this tragic event. Among the accused is Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, a former Army Region 4 Commander, now serving as a list-MP for a political party.
All 14 accused were summoned to court to begin proceedings on October 12, but none, including Gen Pisal, have appeared, raising concerns about their whereabouts and the possibility he may have left the country.
Phumtham remarked that he was unaware of Gen Pisal’s location and emphasized that current media focus should also address ongoing flooding crises, rather than solely the massacre case.
Commenting on the situation, a human rights researcher expressed alarm over the implications of the bomb, noting it signals a potential escalation in violence by separatist groups as the anniversary of the massacre approaches.
