Bangkok DSI Needs More Time For Probe Into Red Shirt Unrest

[webfact]

DSI says it will need more time for probe into unrest

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation on Sunday

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would have to extend the time for its investigation into the 89 deaths during the political unrest in April and May, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said yesterday.

Tharit said he wanted to find out which groups were behind the deaths, but investigators had results from many different places, so they would need more time. So, the 45-day timeframe would be extended until they found the facts to explain to the public.

Once the DSI had obtained all ballistic test results and autopsy reports, investigators would speed up interviews of soldiers who were there and check the evidence and witnesses presented by Pheu Thai Party.

DSI deputy director general Colonel Narat Sawettana, who leads the investigation team on these cases, said after he met with Police Lt-General Wiroj Pao-in, who led the Pheu Thai probe into the 89 deaths and offered to give its information to the department, the DSI needed to take information from all sides to prevent criticism they only took data from pro-government people.

Narat said Pheu Thai with close ties to the red shirts may have useful information for the investigation, but he had not got any details for a list of witnesses from the opposition party yet. He said Pheu Thai was worried about the safety of witnesses and some feared they may be locked up if they came out to give details to the DSI.

Narat said the agency had thus said clearly that it would ensure justice to all sides and no bullying. It even offered to put any frightened witnesses onto a protection scheme.

Meanwhile, a mock public hearing on the killings during the April-May unrest was held yesterday at Thammasat University, where people who were injured and relatives of those killed gave information to academics, who acted as a hearing committee. The panel members included Kritaya Archavanitkul, Chaiyan Ratchakul, Somchai Preechasilpakul, Kasem Penpinant, Sawatree Suksri, and Benjarat Sae-chua.

The organisers sold tickets for Bt2,000 for VIP seats and any price for general tickets, in a bid to raise funds for lawyers for red shirts held in jail.

Santipong Inchan, who lost the sight in one eye after being hit by a rubber bullet during clashes with troops on April 10, said soldiers threw tear gas at the protesters at Phan Fa Bridge and deployed in lines to force them out. He said the first row of soldiers carried batons and shields but later rows had heavy weapons while protesters only had water bottles, rocks and packs of fermented fish. He urged the government to own up for what it did and accept the truth.

Thongchai Hemwiang, who sustained a gunshot to his hip during a "zone-tightening" operation near Lumpini Park, said that after hearing gunshots from the park he went with a group of journalists to observe and was shot in the hip along with a foreign journalist.

He said the bullet retrieved from his hip had a yellow lead head and that the injured were unarmed Bon Kai residents - not red-shirts.

Nation photographer Chaiwat Pumpuang, who was shot in the leg, said he wore a clear journalist symbol and was standing opposite to the troops when he was shot.

Chaiwat said he didn't see protesters around Rajprarop Road carrying weapons but he saw giant firecrackers lit against the demonstrators. He also saw a coffin in army truck but he didn't see if there was a corpse inside. Police never interviewed him throughout his two-month stay in hospital and he was only told that a high velocity bullet hit him. Chaiwat said he would file a civil lawsuit for compensation.

-- The Nation 2010-09-26

[asiawatcher]

The DSI needs to remain vigilant and probing for as long as it takes.

"... Narat said Pheu Thai with close ties to the red shirts may have useful information for the investigation, but he had not got any details for a list of witnesses from the opposition party yet. He said Pheu Thai was worried about the safety of witnesses and some feared they may be locked up if they came out to give details to the DSI."

The reds have everything to hide and nothing forthcoming from Pheu Thai tells you a lot - they cannot afford the truth to be revealed they had their mercenaries in their pack of thugs.

As for the statement by Santipong Inchan big deal! Som num na. Directives were given to disperse, tolerance at the expense of all Bangkok was elongated to the point of frustration and then finally when the only way to clear the rabble was forced, they all got what they deserved. People who were collateral damage should not have been there in the first place. If conflict is unavoidable to even be near the area was mindless stupidity. No sympathy at all and the Red supporters can make all the claims they want. You started it and you got what you deserved. So to Khun Santipong, now you have one eye you can see more clearly the stupidity of your actions.

[Bagwan]

As for the statement by Santipong Inchan big deal!  Som num na.  Directives were given to disperse, tolerance at the expense of all Bangkok was elongated to the point of frustration and then finally when the only way to clear the rabble was forced, they all got what they deserved.  People who were collateral damage should not have been there in the first place.  If conflict is unavoidable to even be near the area was mindless stupidity.  No sympathy at all and the Red supporters can make all the claims they want.  You started it and you got what you deserved.  So to Khun Santipong, now you have one eye you can see more clearly the stupidity of your actions.  

Ah! At last somebody with a sense of reality. TIT. How unusual.

[craigt3365]

Yeah, let's see...you are told to disperse, don't do it...then throw rocks and bottles at the police. And then blame the government you got wounded by a rubber bullet. What a bunch of BS....

[rubl]

Santipong Inchan, who lost the sight in one eye after being hit by a rubber bullet during clashes with troops on April 10, said soldiers threw tear gas at the protesters at Phan Fa Bridge and deployed in lines to force them out. He said the first row of soldiers carried batons and shields but later rows had heavy weapons while protesters only had water bottles, rocks and packs of fermented fish. He urged the government to own up for what it did and accept the truth.

Just picking out one paragraph. What k. Santipong says here doesn't sound as if the Army did anything wrong. It jumps from rows of soldiers to 'gov. own up'. The part in the middle with unknowns starting violence by shooting indiscriminately reds, soldiers,journalists, anyone is not mentioned. Army troops starting to shoot back. Grenade attacks swept under the carpet, the colonel dead already.

Methinks there are a few more groups who have to 'own up'

[animatic]

It is a political play to drum up LACK of clarity.

And send the facts to obscurity by swamping the investigators with

excessive and spurious data to sift through, and then blame them

for not being fast enough. The longer it takes, the farther from original,

true sources it will slide. And the voices of truth will be shouted down,

by those with agendas and guilt in their circles.

Edited September 26, 2010 by animatic

[philw]

The DSI needs to remain vigilant and probing for as long as it takes.

"... Narat said Pheu Thai with close ties to the red shirts may have useful information for the investigation, but he had not got any details for a list of witnesses from the opposition party yet. He said Pheu Thai was worried about the safety of witnesses and some feared they may be locked up if they came out to give details to the DSI."

The reds have everything to hide and nothing forthcoming from Pheu Thai tells you a lot - they cannot afford the truth to be revealed they had their mercenaries in their pack of thugs.

As for the statement by Santipong Inchan big deal! Som num na. Directives were given to disperse, tolerance at the expense of all Bangkok was elongated to the point of frustration and then finally when the only way to clear the rabble was forced, they all got what they deserved. People who were collateral damage should not have been there in the first place. If conflict is unavoidable to even be near the area was mindless stupidity. No sympathy at all and the Red supporters can make all the claims they want. You started it and you got what you deserved. So to Khun Santipong, now you have one eye you can see more clearly the stupidity of your actions.

Do you have the same "som num na " attitude to young American or British forces dying in Iraq ??

[whybother]

Do you have the same "som num na " attitude to young American or British forces dying in Iraq ??

Are you trying to equate soldiers sent to Iraq with red shirt protesters?

[philw]

Do you have the same "som num na " attitude to young American or British forces dying in Iraq ??

Are you trying to equate soldiers sent to Iraq with red shirt protesters?

No.

[rubl]

Do you have the same "som num na " attitude to young American or British forces dying in Iraq ??

Are you trying to equate soldiers sent to Iraq with red shirt protesters?

No.

Please excuse me, but in that case why were you asking that question? Especially since it's totally unrelated to the OP

[Robby nz]

Remember back when all this was going on reading a thread on here that gave a report from one of the reds who was wounded, no I wont look for the link.

He said they, the ordinary reds, were told to stand in front of the leaders.

He said he was in the third row from the front facing the army and got shot in the back.

Commented at the time that the army must have been using Ausi boomarang bullets.

They sure brought it on themselves.

Wonder who the reporter is planning on asking compo from?

Should be the reds and their paymaster, but I doubt it.

Nothing coming from that direction, not for the ordinary people.

But I tell a lie, I read Jataporn said they were setting up a fund of 1.5 mill Baht to compensate all those killed and injured.

Divided by how many?

Should get a few baht each once the leaders have extracted their share and administration is paid for.

[way2muchcoffee]

Remember back when all this was going on reading a thread on here that gave a report from one of the reds who was wounded, no I wont look for the link.

He said they, the ordinary reds, were told to stand in front of the leaders.

He said he was in the third row from the front facing the army and got shot in the back.

Commented at the time that the army must have been using Ausi boomarang bullets.

They sure brought it on themselves.

Wonder who the reporter is planning on asking compo from?

Should be the reds and their paymaster, but I doubt it.

Nothing coming from that direction, not for the ordinary people.

But I tell a lie, I read Jataporn said they were setting up a fund of 1.5 mill Baht to compensate all those killed and injured.

Divided by how many?

Should get a few baht each once the leaders have extracted their share and administration is paid for.

I honestly don't remember this account. Do you have a source?

[givenall]

Chaiwat said he didn't see protesters around Rajprarop Road carrying weapons but he saw giant firecrackers lit against the demonstrators. He also saw a coffin in army truck but he didn't see if there was a corpse inside. Police never interviewed him throughout his two-month stay in hospital and he was only told that a high velocity bullet hit him. Chaiwat said he would file a civil lawsuit for compensation.

This is bunch of Bull. I live in Rachpsong, and every night i saw the Red Shirt firing grenades toward the soldier for couple hours starting around midnight.

I am not sure what needs to be investigated. It is all about money and gang wars. Including the army and the police. Just follow the money, starting from Thaksin and his family

[SamritT]

This is bunch of Bull. I live in Rachpsong, and every night i saw the Red Shirt firing grenades toward the soldier for couple hours starting around midnight.

Did you call DSI to offer this info? This is great staff, and might change the DSI reports. What is the point of farting in ThaiVisa; or are you expecting DSI to take evident from this forum (like some 3rd rate farang journalists who only source is ThaiVisa the morning after the hang over from Nana)?

[SamritT]

It is a political play to drum up LACK of clarity.And send the facts to obscurity by swamping the investigators with >excessive and spurious data to sift through, and then blame them for not being fast enough. The longer it takes, the farther from original, true sources it will slide. And the voices of truth will be shouted down, by those with agendas and guilt in their circles.

Excellent comment.

[random]

The DSI must have run out of whitewash.

Also to all those that dispute red shirt claims and also claim to have evidence to the contrary please contact the relevant authorities and give them a written statement and any photographic/video evidence you may have, if you don't your information is useless and probably bullshit.

[Buchholz]

Chaiwat said he didn't see protesters around Rajprarop Road carrying weapons but he saw giant firecrackers lit against the demonstrators. He also saw a coffin in army truck but he didn't see if there was a corpse inside. Police never interviewed him throughout his two-month stay in hospital and he was only told that a high velocity bullet hit him. Chaiwat said he would file a civil lawsuit for compensation.

This is bunch of Bull. I live in Rachpsong, and every night i saw the Red Shirt firing grenades toward the soldier for couple hours starting around midnight.

Thank you for your valuable input. It's a tremendous asset to have quite a few members that are, literally, on-the-ground, in a vast list of locations and that assist in getting out the truth and keeping members informed when erroneous reports are published.

It is much appreciated.

*edited to reflect proper quotations

Edited September 27, 2010 by Buchholz

[pookiki]

DSI said they were ready to release the results quite a while ago. The findings must not have suited those in power. Just like the panel on Map Ta Phut.

[rubl]

DSI said they were ready to release the results quite a while ago. The findings must not have suited those in power. Just like the panel on Map Ta Phut.

I don't think they've ever said that.

A month or so ago they said to need more time to correlate all the info they had (24th of August: )

Also they were still collecting more info. They even asked members of the public and PTP who witnessed killing to come forward and testify. (21st Sept: )

Please point out when the DSI said they're ready to release and provide a pointer.

[Buchholz]

DSI said they were ready to release the results quite a while ago. The findings must not have suited those in power. Just like the panel on Map Ta Phut.

I don't think they've ever said that.

A month or so ago they said to need more time to correlate all the info they had (24th of August: )

Also they were still collecting more info. They even asked members of the public and PTP who witnessed killing to come forward and testify. (21st Sept: )

Please point out when the DSI said they're ready to release and provide a pointer.

In addition to the on-the-ground postings from members, it's fact checkers like this that raise the level of the forum.

Thank you.

[hammered]

This is about different parties establishing as "history" what they want. It is not about establishing truth. Nobody wants the turh whihc will tar all very very badly. So either one bunch or other wins and makes sure their version is "history" with a few dissenters gradually ignored as time goes on or the different parties come to an agreement and establish a myth both are happy with. Such is reality. Only a fool thinks the truth will come out.

[rubl]

DSI said they were ready to release the results quite a while ago. The findings must not have suited those in power. Just like the panel on Map Ta Phut.

I don't think they've ever said that.

A month or so ago they said to need more time to correlate all the info they had (24th of August: )

Also they were still collecting more info. They even asked members of the public and PTP who witnessed killing to come forward and testify. (21st Sept: )

Please point out when the DSI said they're ready to release and provide a pointer.

In addition to the on-the-ground postings from members, it's fact checkers like this that raise the level of the forum.

Thank you.

Thanks, but I hope you noticed I only went back a month. Between end of May and end of August the DSI may have made various statements, but I don't remember all details. I would remember though if a 'ready to release' statement would have been made. With the issue at hand that would have been ridiculous. But who knows, dear member pookiki may come with a link

[Buchholz]

Thanks, but I hope you noticed I only went back a month. Between end of May and end of August the DSI may have made various statements, but I don't remember all details. I would remember though if a 'ready to release' statement would have been made. With the issue at hand that would have been ridiculous. But who knows, dear member pookiki may come with a link

That would be welcomed.

In the interim, though, speaking of time frames, it doesn't seem like the DSI flip-flops anywhere like the Pheu Thai Party does, sometimes within only 3 days as was case with opposing amnesty:

I might be wrong but wasn't amnesty one of their demands not so long ago?

It was, but that was a very long time ago...

The Nation - September 21, 2010

Chalerm to seek Thaksin's approval on campaign platforms

The five platforms are:

- trimmed -

- To grant amnesty

[pookiki]

DSI ready to issue autopsy results

http://pattayatoday.net/news/thailand-news/dsi-ready-to-issue-autopsy-results/

[SamritT]

"DSI ready to issue autopsy results." and "DSI issue autopsy results." are 2 very different things.

[pookiki]

"DSI ready to issue autopsy results." and "DSI issue autopsy results." are 2 very different things.

And I said the former and not the latter didn't I, dear?

[Buchholz]

DSI ready to issue autopsy results

http://pattayatoday.net/news/thailand-news/dsi-ready-to-issue-autopsy-results/

Thank you for that. The contents of which reveal:

the identification should be ready in the next two months.

Pattaya Today - August 26, 2010

which further confirms the thread's title:

Bangkok DSI Needs More Time For Probe Into Red Shirt Unrest

[rubl]

DSI ready to issue autopsy results

http://pattayatoday.net/news/thailand-news/dsi-ready-to-issue-autopsy-results/

In your first post which I replied to before you said "DSI said they were ready to release the results quite a while ago." That's a bit different from what you now say "DSI ready to issue autopsy results".

On the 24th of August the DSI said to need more time and lots of people got angry (see this topic the article says only 42 autopsy reports received yet a.o.). The link you provide is from the 26th of August and available on the Nation's website as well ( http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/26/national/DSI-ready-to-issue-autopsy-results-30136653.html ). The article says "most of the autopsy reports available" and "autopsy on 73 bodies has been completed". Strange that in just two days almost 31 additional reports were received, verified, cross-checked and filed. Can't have sloppy work, now can we ? Also still missing 18 others. Hardly ready to release.

The autopsy reports will (probably) clearly indicate the cause of death, but not the identification of who caused it. That, as the article says "should be ready in the next two months". I have my doubts, but who knows.

This brings, for at least me, the conclusion to "more time needed"

Edited September 27, 2010 by rubl