Tak Bai, Krue Se Crackdowns: There 'Will Be Some Compensation'

[webfact]

There 'will be some compensation'

By Kittipong Thavevong

The Nation

Compensation would be extended to southern insurgency victims, such as the Muslim protesters who died in the Tak Bai and Krue Se crackdowns of 2004, as well as the recent political unrest victims, Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said yesterday.

"The government plans to offer remedies to all groups of people in all areas. There will be a committee for this that will work with the Truth for Reconciliation Committee," he said.

He was responding to a query from Democrat MP Jeh-aming Tohtayong from the southern border province of Narathiwat.

Although Bt10 million per person killed had been mentioned, nothing had been decided yet, he said. "The government has not said anything about the sum of Bt10 million. It's just an idea. The exact amount will be determined by a separate panel," he said on the second day of the parliamentary debate on the government's policies.

Jatuporn Promphan, a red-shirt leader and MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, had proposed compensation for each red-shirt protester slain during last year's political turmoil.

Critics cried foul, saying soldiers and civilians killed during the chaos, as well as victims of other political incidents and violent crackdowns, such as those at Tak Bai and Krue Se in the deep South, should also be covered.

The Tak Bai and Krue Se tragedies left more than 100 Muslim protesters dead at a time when Thaksin Shinawatra was prime minister.

Earlier during yesterday's debate, Jeh-aming asked whether the government policy of offering compensation would include the Tak Bai and Krue Se victims and other innocent people killed in the insurgent attacks in the deep South.

The opposition MP blamed the heightened insurgent violence on policy mishaps committed by the Thaksin Shinawatra government. He also said Thaksin had admitted recently to the error of his government's "iron-fist policy" towards the insurgency in the southern border provinces.

Residents in the deep South were worried the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is Thaksin's younger sister, might adopt his government's policy for the restive region, he said. After all, Pheu Thai's election campaign slogan was "Thaksin thinks and Pheu Thai does", he said.

Thaksin's hawkish handling of the militancy in the deep South has been blamed for the widespread human rights violations in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana, who is in charge of security affairs, responded to the Democrat MP's remarks by saying that no recent governments had succeeded in solving the insurgency problem in the deep South, and the violence was getting worse.

Kowit, a former national police chief, also vouched for Thaksin. "His decisions succeeded sometimes and failed sometimes. I worked with him and I believe that he loves the country and has good intentions," he said.

"I will deal with the southern problem to the best of my ability, and I will accept the result - whether it's a success or failure. If I make any mistake, I will accept it as a man, and I will be ready to get punished too," he said.

"This government intends to work on solving the problem in the region to its utmost ability. We welcome your advice because the coalition government has no MPs from the South."

Democrat MP Anwar Salae from the southern border province of Pattani expressed concern that the government might revive the Thaksin administration's iron-fist policy towards Muslim protesters in the deep South.

His remarks led to protests by Pheu Thai MPs and triggered a heated exchange of words between House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont, who is a Pheu Thai MP, and Democrats who accused him of lacking neutrality while chairing the meeting.

Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai of the Democrats voiced doubts over the government's policy of creating a special administrative organ for the deep South, asking whether it would strive to restore peace and end the violence.

The government had sent confusing signals, as one deputy prime minister said there would be no plan to set up the so-called Pattani City while another deputy premier said there would be a kind of administrative body in the predominantly Muslim region, he said

"The government has the right to initiate policies but if it isn't sure of them, please don't even try, as a blunder could cause a lot of damage to people's lives," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-25

[patjem]

Motor mouth JP speaking out of turn is gonna have governent's budget spent very quickly. By the same logic as "slain red shirts" compensation @Bt10m a pop, ensuring no double standards for Tak Bai victims.... Who next? Cambodian border soldiers? The <deleted> that blew themselves up making a bomb? The bags of bones in the Rayong Wats (just in case they could have been red shirts, even though they died years ago, as they might have become red shirts, that could have ended up being killed in a riot), everyone who donated blood for the reds' little spilling exercise Last year ? By his crazy logic, it should be considered.

[janverbeem]

Although Bt10 million per person killed had been mentioned, nothing had been decided yet, he said. "The government has not said anything about the sum of Bt10 million. It's just an idea. The exact amount will be determined by a separate panel," he said on the second day of the parliamentary debate on the government's policies.

Those Thais never been good in figures aren't they.

The final compensation,if any at all,will be more in he range of 10.000.000 Baht in my opinion and judging on past experiences.

[Buchholz]

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said yesterday

"The government has not said anything about the sum of Bt10 million.

Is Jatuporn not part of "the government"?

Pheu Thai Party-list MP Jatuporn Promphan told The Nation he discussed the matter a few days after being released from jail with Yingluck Shinawatra before she was confirmed as prime minister. He said Yingluck accepted the idea in principle

Anyway, while the "committee" evaluates the "idea", we can only hope that the recipients would surely include this "unfair" jailing and "unjust" deportation. Surely his suffering is worthy of at least a couple of million, too.

Edited August 25, 2011 by Buchholz

[Bakseedaa]

Although Bt10 million per person killed had been mentioned, nothing had been decided yet, he said. "The government has not said anything about the sum of Bt10 million. It's just an idea. The exact amount will be determined by a separate panel," he said on the second day of the parliamentary debate on the government's policies.

Those Thais never been good in figures aren't they.

The final compensation,if any at all,will be more in he range of 10.000.000 Baht in my opinion and judging on past experiences.

But even that amount is too much...remember they are buddhists and are already alive again..! so, which baby gets the moneys..?

[hanuman2543]

"I will deal with the southern problem to the best of my ability, and I will accept the result - whether it's a success or failure. If I make any mistake, I will accept it as a man, and I will be ready to get punished too," he said.

When a Thai politician ever took responsibility or was held accountabele for his/her actions

[rubl]

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said yesterday

"The government has not said anything about the sum of Bt10 million.

Is Jatuporn not part of "the government"?

K. Jatuporn is a Pheu Thai party list MP. Even though the Pheu Thai forms the largest part of the government (PM, ministers, deputies, etc., etc.) not all Pheu Thai are 'selected' to be part of it.

K. Jatupron is just one of the MPs, like his dear friend MP Suthep

BTW did UDD leader MPs waive their parliamentary immunity to stand tall against charges of terrorism ? This seems to have been announced with great enthousiasm, red-shirt cheers, to be forgotten after a few days? Or did parliament vote for not allowing them to do so

Edited August 25, 2011 by rubl

[Crushdepth]

Earlier during yesterday's debate, Jeh-aming asked whether the government policy of offering compensation would include the Tak Bai and Krue Se victims and other innocent people killed in the insurgent attacks in the deep South.

Good to see somebody raised it. But I think Jatuporn should be footing part of the bill for the red compensation himself.

[craigt3365]

Several nonsense and bickering posts have been removed and a warning has been issued. Please keep it civil and abide by forum rules. :jap:

[fxe1200]

Although Bt10 million per person killed had been mentioned, nothing had been decided yet, he said. "The government has not said anything about the sum of Bt10 million. It's just an idea. The exact amount will be determined by a separate panel," he said on the second day of the parliamentary debate on the government's policies.

Those Thais never been good in figures aren't they.

The final compensation,if any at all,will be more in he range of 10.000.000 Baht in my opinion and judging on past experiences.

...and the government forgot those 2.500 plus killed in the war against drugs.

[EyesWideOpen]

Instead of opening up the government coffers, how about the novel idea of punishing those responsible ??