Fugitive Defendant in Tak Bai Massacre Trial Remains Unaccounted For
PUBLISHED: 15 Oct 2024 at 12:07
Former 4th Army Chief Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, a fugitive defendant in the Tak Bai massacre case, has resigned from his position in the Pheu Thai Party. The announcement was made by a senior party official.
It was confirmed that Gen Pisal’s resignation follows discussions within the party, allowing members to refrain from addressing the Tak Bai incident. The planned vote on Gen Pisal’s party membership was canceled due to his resignation.
The circumstances surrounding Gen Pisal’s resignation remain unclear, and officials have advised media to seek further information from party leaders.
Insiders speculate that Gen Pisal may have resigned to separate the party from the ongoing controversy regarding the Tak Bai incident. His resignation results in the loss of his seat in the House, which will be filled from the party list.
The Tak Bai massacre, which took place on October 25, 2004, involved the tragic deaths of seven demonstrators during a security force crackdown on a rally aimed at the release of detainees in a government arms robbery case. Subsequent reports indicated that an additional 78 individuals perished from suffocation or organ failure while being transported under dire conditions to a military facility.
With the statute of limitations nearing expiration, Gen Pisal, who was in command of army operations in the region during the incident, now faces increased scrutiny as an arrest warrant has been issued for failing to attend a scheduled court hearing.
Reports suggest that Gen Pisal may have initially traveled to the UK, raising concerns about his current location and accessibility to the legal proceedings related to this high-profile case.
Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri
