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PM: No Extension for Tak Bai Litigation Period Despite Calls


webfact

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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.

 

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-- 2024-10-24

 

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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 ...

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19 hours ago, webfact said:

image.jpeg

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.

 

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-- 2024-10-24

 

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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.

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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.

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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)

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Security Alert Heightened in Thailand's South on Massacre Anniversary

 

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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

 

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-- 2024-10-25

 

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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.

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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".

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