Top Suspect in 2004 Tak Bai Crackdown May Evade Prosecution

[snoop1130]

 

In a case nearing its two-decade statute of limitations, retired Lieutenant General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, now a list MP for Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party, is poised to avoid facing justice over his alleged role in the 2004 Tak Bai crackdown. Despite being the top suspect, Pisan is among seven ex-officials sought by police for the deaths of 78 protesters, as legal proceedings edge towards the October 25 expiration date.

 

On that fateful day, soldiers and police fired upon a protest in Narathiwat, resulting in seven fatalities. The authorities arrested 1,370 individuals, who later suffered further deaths due to overcrowding during transport. The case languished without charges for 19 years until survivors and families pursued justice in court this year.

Despite arrest warrants being issued, Pisan and at least one other suspect have reportedly fled Thailand, citing medical needs overseas. Pisan, who served over 15 years in the troubled southern region, denies ordering violence, claiming personal ties to the victims.

 

Thai authorities are now engaging Interpol to locate the absconding suspects, as legal action hangs precariously in the balance with mere days before the statute of limitations extinguishes hopes for accountability in the Tak Bai incident.

 

Photo: Thai PBS World

 

-- 2024-10-14

 

 

[MikeandDow]

18 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

 

In a case nearing its two-decade statute of limitations, retired Lieutenant General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, now a list MP for Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party, is poised to avoid facing justice over his alleged role in the 2004 Tak Bai crackdown. Despite being the top suspect, Pisan is among seven ex-officials sought by police for the deaths of 78 protesters, as legal proceedings edge towards the October 25 expiration date.

 

On that fateful day, soldiers and police fired upon a protest in Narathiwat, resulting in seven fatalities. The authorities arrested 1,370 individuals, who later suffered further deaths due to overcrowding during transport. The case languished without charges for 19 years until survivors and families pursued justice in court this year.

 

Despite arrest warrants being issued, Pisan and at least one other suspect have reportedly fled Thailand, citing medical needs overseas. Pisan, who served over 15 years in the troubled southern region, denies ordering violence, claiming personal ties to the victims.

 

Thai authorities are now engaging Interpol to locate the absconding suspects, as legal action hangs precariously in the balance with mere days before the statute of limitations extinguishes hopes for accountability in the Tak Bai incident.

 

Photo: Thai PBS World

 

-- 2024-10-14

 

 

In action by the police !!  what about the other suspect have any been arrested ??

[Watawattana]

Anyone surprised?

[chickenslegs]

A Thai Member of Parliament is on the run to let the clock run out on the limitation of proceedings.

 

He will probably return and take up his seat in parliament on 26th October and nobody will even raise an eyebrow.

[Dan O]

17 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

A Thai Member of Parliament is on the run to let the clock run out on the limitation of proceedings.

 

He will probably return and take up his seat in parliament on 26th October and nobody will even raise an eyebrow.

Equally pathetic is that Parliament gave him a hall pass after the fact excusing him and allowing his absence and making an excuse for him to be able to leave the country for "medical treatment" 

[lordgrinz]

Next week he will probably get a "certificate of innocence", he can then smile when he returns and joins the other pigs at the community trough.

[malathione]

So, presumably, Thailand does not try in absentia?

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a case nearing its two-decade statute of limitations, retired Lieutenant General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, now a list MP for Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party, is poised to avoid facing justice over his alleged role in the 2004 Tak Bai crackdown. Despite being the top suspect, Pisan is among seven ex-officials sought by police for the deaths of 78 protesters, as legal proceedings edge towards the October 25 expiration date.

And Thailand just got elected to the human rights council... amazing 

[jippytum]

Pheu Thai are the party of politicians evading justice by leaving the country to evade justice. 

Following the example set by the de facto leader Thaksin and his family. 

[Tropicalevo]

12 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

In action by the police !!  what about the other suspect have any been arrested ??

Yes  - only these two are known to be free.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Despite arrest warrants being issued, Pisan and at least one other suspect have reportedly fled Thailand,

 

It was in a previous article on AN.

 

[MikeandDow]

23 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yes  - only these two are known to be free.

 

It was in a previous article on AN.

 

oh must have miss that  so the rest of the suspects will attended court just these 2 missing.

is there a reason they can not be tried in "absentia" same as RB they could try in  "absentia" they have done this before.

[dinsdale]

20yrs. This is the difference in the Thai "justice" system between those with money and connections and those without. I'll bet this has cost him a pretty penny though and I'll bet some judges have been able to buy another big house and another Merc.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Leaving  for medical treatment in another country implies the medical services are not available in Thailand. I hope TAT are taking note of this in order to adjust their medical tourism promotions.😋

[WHansen]

Yet another example of a third world country masquerading as a developing country

[anchadian]

It has taken nearly 100 years to locate Boss so I doubt very much if 10 days will come to fruition. 555

[Update] Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said the police are already working with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to track down and arrest defendants in the Tak Bai massacre cases who are currently abroad. The case is expiring in 10 days

https://x.com/ThaiEnquirer/status/1846084954092195876