PUBLISHED: 23 Oct 2024 at 14:27
On Wednesday, a group of cyclists engaged in a symbolic ride to honor the victims of the Tak Bai massacre, where around 80 arrested protesters suffocated while being transported by military trucks in 2004. This ride occurred as the government faced scrutiny over the impending expiration of the statute of limitations regarding the Tak Bai case.
Included in the cycling group were participants from Malaysia, who paused at the Tak Bai police station to pay respects to the deceased before embarking on a 145-kilometer journey to the Ingkhayutthaborihan military camp in Nong Chik district, Pattani.
Cyclist Muhammadaladi Dengni stated the ride was a tribute to the demonstrators who suffered during the October 2004 incident. He emphasized that the event marks the upcoming expiration of the 20-year statute of limitations for the Tak Bai massacre case.
Police from the Nong Chik station provided traffic assistance during the cyclists’ journey.
Dengni expressed concern over the lack of accountability, noting that unless the 14 suspects, primarily military officials involved in the incident, surrender to the justice system, community frustration might escalate and lead to further unrest.
The National Human Rights Commission has called on the government to provide compensation to the victims of the Tak Bai massacre, asserting that those responsible for the violations of human rights have yet to face consequences.
Statute of Limitations
In response to media inquiries, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong refrained from addressing the potential for the government to issue an executive decree extending the statute of limitations for the Tak Bai case.
The tragic Tak Bai incident took place on October 25, 2004, when approximately 1,500 local protesters gathered at the Tak Bai police station to demand the release of defense volunteers detained for alleged weapons offenses. Tensions escalated, leading security forces to disperse the protest, resulting in fatalities both on-site and during transportation of over 1,300 individuals into military custody, where many succumbed to suffocation.
This incident occurred during the administration of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
