Statute of limitations set to expire on October 25, no action taken in court
PUBLISHED: October 14, 2024, at 16:30
Concerns continue to mount regarding the unresolved Tak Bai massacre case, with the statute of limitations set to expire soon. Legal experts warn that failure to address the matter could significantly damage the credibility of the current administration led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a prominent law lecturer, expressed that allowing those accused of the 2004 Tak Bai incident to evade justice could severely impact public support for the government and the Pheu Thai Party.
“The public is closely observing how this case unfolds,” said Prinya during a remembrance ceremony for the victims. He emphasized that the prime minister holds authority over police actions in this matter, which makes it imperative for the government to take a decisive stance.
The 20-year statute of limitations on the Tak Bai case will expire on October 25, 2024. To date, 14 individuals have been identified and accused regarding the tragic deaths of 85 protesters during the Tak Bai protests in Narathiwat province.
During the 2004 incident, many demonstrators lost their lives due to suffocation while being transported in army trucks. The families of the victims and injured parties have sought justice, with the Narathiwat Provincial Court recently accepting their case for trial.
The lawsuit distinguishes between two groups of accused individuals: one group includes the authorities responsible for issuing and executing orders leading to the protester fatalities, while the other involves army personnel involved in the transport of the victims.
Major General Chaloemchai Wirunpetch is among those named in both groups, along with several other high-ranking officials from that time.
- General Pisal Wattanawongkiri, former Army Region 4 commander
- Major General Chaloemchai Wirunpetch, former 5th Infantry Division commander
- Police General Wongkot Maneejan, former director of the operations center, Royal Thai Police
- Police Lieutenant General Manoj Kraiwong, former chief of Provincial Police Region 9
- Police Major General Saksommai Phutthakul, former superintendent of Tak Bai police station
- Siwa Saengmanee, former deputy director of the Southern Border Provinces Peace Centre
- Wichom Thongsong, former Narathiwat governor
The second group includes individuals involved in the transportation of victims:
- Major General Chaloemchai Wirunpetch, former 5th Infantry Division commander
- Lieutenant Colonel Prasert Mattamin
- Sub Lieutenant Nutthawut Luamsai
- Wissanu Loetsongkram
- Lieutenant Junior Grade Wissanukorn Chaisarn
- Piti Yarnkaew
- Chief Petty Officer 3 Ratchadet Sisuwan
- Lieutenant Ritthirong Promrit
As concerns grow over the whereabouts of the accused, including General Pisal, who enjoys parliamentary immunity, recent police searches for key suspects have yielded no results.
The Tak Bai massacre remains a critical issue, not only for the families affected but also for the political landscape in Thailand as the deadline for legal action looms.
