PM: No Extension for Tak Bai Litigation Period Despite Calls

[webfact]

Paetongtarn Shinawatra. File photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced today that there will be no executive decree to extend the 20-year litigation period for the infamous 2004 Tak Bai incident in Thailand’s Deep South.

 

The period, which expires tomorrow, concerns the tragic deaths of 85 protesters, where 78 individuals suffocated in overcrowded army trucks during transport from outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat to an army barracks in Pattani.

 

During a press briefing at Government House, Paetongtarn expressed her condolences to the victims' families. She also noted that the legal timeframe could not be extended to prosecute the 14 suspects linked to the incident due to legal constraints.

 

This conclusion came after consultations with the Council of State, which determined that no executive decree could legally prolong the window for litigation.

 

This incident occurred during the leadership of Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was the Prime Minister at the time and is now the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

 

Most notably, former Fourth Army Region commander Pisal Watanawongkhiri, viewed as the central figure among the suspects, is believed to have fled the country and recently resigned as a Pheu Thai MP.

 

In response to the looming deadline, police launched a last-minute effort to locate some of these suspects, extending their search to distant provinces such as Chiang Rai, but no arrests were made, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The decision not to extend the litigation period has been met with disappointment from those seeking justice. However, the government maintains that the boundaries of the law must be respected, despite public and political pressures to take further action. This decision raises questions about accountability and justice concerning historic cases.

 

-- 2024-10-24

 

 

[watchcat]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced today that there will be no executive decree to extend the 20-year litigation period for the infamous 2004 Tak Bai incident in Thailand’s Deep South.

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

This incident occurred during the leadership of Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was the Prime Minister at the time

 

Just trying to protect daddy?

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The period, which expires tomorrow, concerns the tragic deaths of 85 protesters, where 78 individuals suffocated in overcrowded army trucks during transport from outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat to an army barracks in Pattani.

Allowed to evade justice..... disgusting.

And Thailand has been given a seat on the Human Rights council, that should be immediately revoked.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

This incident occurred during the leadership of Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was the Prime Minister at the time and is now the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

Bad decisions seem to run in the family....

[Hornell]

An executive emergency decree could extend the Statute of Limitations, but then I don't think that would please daddy.

[JimHuaHin]

The Thai military will be happy.

[john donson]

did daddy not give the order, aka, guilty party?

 

better warm up the jet...

[lordgrinz]

So do all the participants now get a "Certificate of Innocence"?

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, Hornell said:

An executive emergency decree could extend the Statute of Limitations, but then I don't think that would please daddy.

Um, so 20 years is not sufficient to pursue the matter in the courts?

 

If it hasn't happened by now it's hard to think it ever will, even with another 50 years to go ...

[damian]

I know one little t*rd who will be rubbing his hands together in glee at this decision.

[khunpeer]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

Paetongtarn Shinawatra. File photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced today that there will be no executive decree to extend the 20-year litigation period for the infamous 2004 Tak Bai incident in Thailand’s Deep South.

 

The period, which expires tomorrow, concerns the tragic deaths of 85 protesters, where 78 individuals suffocated in overcrowded army trucks during transport from outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat to an army barracks in Pattani.

 

During a press briefing at Government House, Paetongtarn expressed her condolences to the victims' families. She also noted that the legal timeframe could not be extended to prosecute the 14 suspects linked to the incident due to legal constraints.

 

This conclusion came after consultations with the Council of State, which determined that no executive decree could legally prolong the window for litigation.

 

This incident occurred during the leadership of Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was the Prime Minister at the time and is now the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

 

Most notably, former Fourth Army Region commander Pisal Watanawongkhiri, viewed as the central figure among the suspects, is believed to have fled the country and recently resigned as a Pheu Thai MP.

 

In response to the looming deadline, police launched a last-minute effort to locate some of these suspects, extending their search to distant provinces such as Chiang Rai, but no arrests were made, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The decision not to extend the litigation period has been met with disappointment from those seeking justice. However, the government maintains that the boundaries of the law must be respected, despite public and political pressures to take further action. This decision raises questions about accountability and justice concerning historic cases.

 

-- 2024-10-24

 

 

Daddy says to daughter: "you scratch my back, then i'll scratch your back!"

no one of that family is to be trusted!

[klauskunkel]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

police launched a last-minute effort to locate some of these suspects

"Where are they? Definitely not around here! Anyway, let's have lunch."

[redwood1]

They had about 7,000 plus days to prosecute these guys and they waited till about the last 10 days..And now its too late..

 

All went as planned..... 

[kingstonkid]

8 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

 

Just trying to protect daddy?

Also trying to protect all of daddy's friends

[bradiston]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Paetongtarn Shinawatra. File photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced today that there will be no executive decree to extend the 20-year litigation period for the infamous 2004 Tak Bai incident in Thailand’s Deep South.

 

The period, which expires tomorrow, concerns the tragic deaths of 85 protesters, where 78 individuals suffocated in overcrowded army trucks during transport from outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat to an army barracks in Pattani.

 

During a press briefing at Government House, Paetongtarn expressed her condolences to the victims' families. She also noted that the legal timeframe could not be extended to prosecute the 14 suspects linked to the incident due to legal constraints.

 

This conclusion came after consultations with the Council of State, which determined that no executive decree could legally prolong the window for litigation.

 

This incident occurred during the leadership of Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was the Prime Minister at the time and is now the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

 

Most notably, former Fourth Army Region commander Pisal Watanawongkhiri, viewed as the central figure among the suspects, is believed to have fled the country and recently resigned as a Pheu Thai MP.

 

In response to the looming deadline, police launched a last-minute effort to locate some of these suspects, extending their search to distant provinces such as Chiang Rai, but no arrests were made, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The decision not to extend the litigation period has been met with disappointment from those seeking justice. However, the government maintains that the boundaries of the law must be respected, despite public and political pressures to take further action. This decision raises questions about accountability and justice concerning historic cases.

 

-- 2024-10-24

 

 

Well, as president of the Council of State, she should know. But I'm not in the tiniest bit convinced that she does. The whole council, lawyers, academics, legal experts etc would have had to have met and discussed it at length. And exactly when did that happen?

 

When courts fail, let natural justice prevail. Karma, vengeance and divine retribution await these dodgers.

[bradiston]

https://www.ocs.go.th/council-of-state/#/public

 

And there's a pdf file which gives the whole low down on this extraordinary beast. For instance:

 

"In the performance of duties, the Law Councillors  meet as a Committee. At present, there are 136 Law  Councillors divided into 14 Law Committees, each of which  consists of 10 Law Councillors."

 

I would absolutely challenge Madam Ung Ing to produce chapter and verse of this ruling. In a statement a few days ago, there seemed to be clear precedent for an extension. I don't have the source to hand.

[Burma Bill]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced today that there will be no executive decree to extend the 20-year litigation period for the infamous 2004 Tak Bai incident

 

I am not surprised. On 25 October 2004 - 

 

The Prime Minister was Thaksin Shinawatra and his Defence Minister (responsible for the Thai Army) was General Sampan Boonyanan!

ref. wikipedia)

[snoop1130]

Security Alert Heightened in Thailand's South on Massacre Anniversary

 

 

As the 20th anniversary of the Tak Bai massacre looms, security officials in Thailand's southernmost provinces have intensified their efforts in anticipation of potential insurgent violence. The statute of limitations for the massacre, where 78 Muslims suffocated during a military transport and seven were shot dead during a protest, ends at midnight.

 

This time-sensitive deadline has prompted heightened vigilance in Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala, with security forces establishing roadblocks and carrying out detailed checks of ID cards and vehicle documents. These efforts aim to prevent the use of any stolen vehicles which could be used in potential attacks. The public has been urged to report any suspicious items, fearing they might be improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

 

Meanwhile, in Yala's Betong district, thorough inspections are underway for vehicles and individuals entering the region, and enhanced security measures have been applied at the Malaysian border.

 

Despite police raids in multiple zones including Ranong, Trang, and parts of Songkhla, efforts to arrest the remaining Tak Bai defendants remain fruitless, putting a spotlight on the Thai legal system's race against the statute of limitations.

 

Concerns are mounting internationally, with UN human rights experts criticising the lack of accountability for the massacre, despite two criminal cases finally moving forward with arrest warrants. The experts stress that failure to bring perpetrators to justice contravenes Thailand’s human rights obligations and violates international norms against statutes of limitations for torture.

 

The anticipation of unrest and the pressing deadline underscore the region's delicate stability, as both security forces and the international community await critical developments.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-25

 

 

[nahkit]

On 10/24/2024 at 6:41 PM, webfact said:

The decision not to extend the litigation period has been met with disappointment from those seeking justice. However, the government maintains that the boundaries of the law must be respected, despite public and political pressures to take further action.

If they truly respected the law then why did they do nothing for almost 20 years.

[Liverpool Lou]

12 hours ago, Hornell said:

An executive emergency decree could extend the Statute of Limitations, but then I don't think that would please daddy.

No, it couldn't...

"...the Council of State, which determined that no executive decree could legally prolong the window for litigation".

[bradiston]

2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, it couldn't...

"...the Council of State, which determined that no executive decree could legally prolong the window for litigation".

Yeah but no but. The Council of State is an extremely mysterious body of 136 legal "councillors" who divide up to form 14 committees of 10 members each. Each committee has a different section of the law to study. There is also a law reform department . It's amazing this supposedly independent body was never involved in the 112 shenanigans with the EC and the CC. The PM chairs it, but the OCS, the Office of the Council of State, seems to run it.

 

http://www.asianlii.org/th/legis/consol_act/cosa1979170/

 

https://www.ocs.go.th/council-of-state/#/public

 

https://krisdika.ocs.go.th/web/office-of-the-council-of-state/organisation

 

And there's a large pdf file I found but can't trace where.

 

 

[john donson]

main responsible landed in thailand end of last year?

[bradiston]

21 minutes ago, john donson said:

main responsible landed in thailand end of last year?

Yes. He and all those that followed in his footsteps. The victims' families were reportedly too scared to speak out up until now. Down South, there's a war on, in effect. And don't anybody start on the whys and wherefores. It's off topic. This is about justice for all in Thailand, regardless of race, religion, status, wealth.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Justice for the victims delayed for 20 years, and now denied.

 

Conveniently suiting the convicted criminal who was the sitting PM when the modern conflict in the South started and is now the de-facto leader of the party currently in control. 

[Hunz Kittisak]

On 10/25/2024 at 9:46 AM, mfd101 said:

Um, so 20 years is not sufficient to pursue the matter in the courts?

 

If it hasn't happened by now it's hard to think it ever will, even with another 50 years to go ...

Dun forget the military was in charge the last 17 years or so 

[Hunz Kittisak]

59 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Justice for the victims delayed for 20 years, and now denied.

 

Conveniently suiting the convicted criminal who was the sitting PM when the modern conflict in the South started and is now the de-facto leader of the party currently in control. 

How convenient to blame it on Thaksin. 
The military is responsible that is why the junta did nothing to pursue the case for 20 years. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

6 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

How convenient to blame it on Thaksin. 
The military is responsible that is why the junta did nothing to pursue the case for 20 years. 

 

It is not all about Thaksin but the modern conflict started on his watch as PM, worsened and continued under his successive puppet governments; Somchai, Samak, Yingluck etc. and is set to kick right off again with this denial of justice for the victims.

 

It was Thaksin's policies that led to the conflict kicking off and ultimately the incident at Tak Bai. He also excused the Thai Army and said they did nothing wrong. 

 

However, the military is certainly to blame and now nobody will face justice for the deaths of 85 people.

[Hunz Kittisak]

4 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

It is not all about Thaksin but the modern conflict started on his watch as PM, worsened and continued under his successive puppet governments; Somchai, Samak, Yingluck etc. and is set to kick right off again with this denial of justice for the victims.

 

It was Thaksin's policies that led to the conflict kicking off and ultimately the incident at Tak Bai. He also excused the Thai Army and said they did nothing wrong. 

 

However, the military is certainly to blame and now nobody will face justice for the deaths of 85 people.

The conflict has been around for decades maybe even longer than the Israel Palestine one.

They want secession

It will always end in a stalemate