Thai Army Admits Killing Four Muslim Villagers

[webfact]

Thai army admits killing four Muslim villagers

YALA, Thailand, March 21, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's military Wednesday admitted troops had shot dead four Muslim villagers on their way to a funeral in the insurgency-hit south due to a "misunderstanding" in late January.

Four others were wounded when a ranger unit opened fire on their pickup truck in Nongchik district of Pattani province.

The military ordered the withdrawal of the unit immediately after the incident and set up a panel including a local religious leader to investigate.

"The incident in which on-duty security officials acted against civilians was likely caused by a misunderstanding resulting from the surrounding circumstances," the statement from the southern region army command said.

It said the incident occurred as troops were in pursuit of militants who had attacked a ranger outpost, adding that it was up to the Thai judiciary to establish the guilt of the rangers, irrespective of the findings of the panel.

"All those who are involved with the incident will enter the justice process to ensure confidence and fairness from all sides," the statement said.

A complex insurgency, without clearly stated aims, has plagued Thailand's far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming more than 5,000 lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, in near-daily bomb or gun attacks.

In the latest violence, a ranger was killed in a roadside bomb attack early Wednesday in Cho-Ai-Rong district of Narathiwat province, police said. Three others including two rangers and a villager were wounded.

The five kilogram (11 pound) bomb was hidden at the foot of a bridge and detonated by radio control after villagers alerted rangers about the suspicious object, police said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-03-21

[webfact]

Army rangers kill four Pattani villagers: Region 4 commander

PATTANI, March 21 - Army Region 4 commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat conceded on Wednesday that an independent fact-finding panel concluded that Thai army rangers mistakenly shot dead four villagers in Pattani on Jan 29, and compensation was given to the families of the slain civilians.

An unknown number of assailants attacked a ranger base in Nong Chik district on Jan 29. The rangers fired back and pursued the group. One of the departing attackers reportedly jumped into a pick-up truck. The rangers put out a warning alert to local authorities to intercept them and when a suspicious pick-up truck appeared the pursuit went wrong.

The rangers challenged the men in the vehicle to identify themselves, but heard a gunshot in response as they approached the vehicle. The soldiers then shot at the vehicle, resulting in four dead and five wounded. Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha later conceded that the four slain were not insurgents as earlier believed but were local villagers.

Disclosing details of the conclusion a day after the panel chaired by Waedueramae Mamingji, chairman of the Islamic Committee of Pattani, submitted the findings, Gen Udomchai said the fatal shooting was the work of state officials on duty and it was believed to be caused by a misunderstanding due to circumstances as the ranger outpost had just been attacked.

The rangers pursued the perpetrators until the encounter took place shortly afterward.

Although both sides tried to identify themselves at the critical moment to prove their lack of ill-intention, once the first shot rang out, violence erupted unexpectedly, he said referring to the report.

The Army Region 4 commander said the panel advised that the conclusion should be made public. The family of the dead should received compensation in a timely and fairly manner and that all those alleged involved in the wrongdoing must be brought to justice.

In addition, measures should be taken to ensure that no repeat of the incident in order to build mutual understanding between the military and civilians as well as restore reconciliation and cooperation for sustainable peace.

The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC) accepted the conclusion of the fact-finding panel with an aim to ensure justice and rehabilitation, Gen Udomchai said.

He also pledged that any security personnel found involved in the incident would face legal action.

"If the court finds them guilty and sentence them to imprisonment, we will accept the court decision," the general said.

Following the news conference, Pramuk Lamoon, deputy secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), provided 400,000 baht in cash to compensate relatives of each of the four slain civilians. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-21

[chrisinth]

Absolutely tragic on both sides. That said, the army has nt helped its cause with all the changing stories and the "finding" of the AK-47 and pistol at the scene.

Wonder how this will work out in a civillian court of law.

[Gone]

Well someone needs to do something in the South. It's getting out of hand and needs to stop. Some of the most beautiful parts of Thailand lay in those districts.

I feel sorry for the army that is stationed there to be honest. I met some of them in the North while on leave and they were just real people and were actually rugged men to look at but when you talk to them you can tell the effect it has on them and inside they are scared as I would be.

This is a problem that I don't see ever having a happy ending and that is a true shame.

[sparebox2]

I think this is just a terrible mis-understanding, mis-judment, mis-take.

An apology is a must, then close the case, after all, these men are on duty to protect Thai people.

[daninthai]

I think this is just a terrible mis-understanding, mis-judment, mis-take.

An apology is a must, then close the case, after all, these men are on duty to protect Thai people.

Really Sparebox2?? That's all you think should happen? Just apologise and forget about the legalities of the matter?

In many other countries the people look to improve things, not just keep the same crap status quo. If there were 4 innocent people killed here, obviously something wrong happened. Maybe the rangers acted badly and should be punished. Maybe they acted correctly, but the procedures they follow need to be improved. You can't just say sorry and wait for it to happen again.

[takatukaland]

Well someone needs to do something in the South. It's getting out of hand and needs to stop. Some of the most beautiful parts of Thailand lay in those districts.

I feel sorry for the army that is stationed there to be honest. I met some of them in the North while on leave and they were just real people and were actually rugged men to look at but when you talk to them you can tell the effect it has on them and inside they are scared as I would be.

This is a problem that I don't see ever having a happy ending and that is a true shame.

You feel sorry for the army?They rape,kill people on daily basis and go free

[edwinchester]

I think this is just a terrible mis-understanding, mis-judment, mis-take.

An apology is a must, then close the case, after all, these men are on duty to protect Thai people.

Yes their duty is to protect Thai people and through reckless neglect they killed four innocent Thais. And to compound their crime they attempted to implicate the innocents by planting weapons on them.

An apology, compensation and prosection of the guilty is the least that needs to happen.

What is surprising is that even the army appear to recognise this.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[GentlemanJim]

We have hundreds of civilians a month being killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a result of conflict. When it is a genuine military mistake, all you can do is find out what happened, why it happened, and put measures in place to stop it happening again. Even if the Thais took those small steps, it would be more than happens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[Unkomoncents]

Well someone needs to do something in the South. It's getting out of hand and needs to stop. Some of the most beautiful parts of Thailand lay in those districts.

I feel sorry for the army that is stationed there to be honest. I met some of them in the North while on leave and they were just real people and were actually rugged men to look at but when you talk to them you can tell the effect it has on them and inside they are scared as I would be.

This is a problem that I don't see ever having a happy ending and that is a true shame.

Someone did do something. His name was Thaksin Shinawatra. Google his contributions to one of the world's longest-running terrorist insurgencies. You'll be a cynic in no time.

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS

Rangers' operations lawful: probe

THE NATION

PATTANI: -- Investigation calls for compensation to all affected parties after attack on pickupin January left four dead, five injured

The investigation into the shooting of a pickup in Pattani in January by Army paramilitary rangers, which left four villagers dead, has found the operation was lawful under the rules of combat engagement and called for compensation to all 10 victims.

Violence continued yesterday with one ranger killed and two others and a civilian injured by a home-made bomb in Narathiwat.

The shooting probe blamed confusion during the pursuit of a band of insurgents, darkness, combat fatigue and stress experienced by the rangers for the attack on the villagers' pickup, which killed four of them and injured five, said Udomchai Thammasaroj, chief of the Fourth Army Area.

Relatives of the four dead villagers received Bt400,000 for each case, while the five wounded received less. A minor who escaped the shooting unscathed received some money for mental trauma. Bt100,000 had earlier been paid in each of the 10 cases.

The victims may also be qualified to receive Bt7.5 million per case under a policy to compensate red-shirt victims and those suffering from previous or future political turmoil, said Pramuk Lamun, a deputy director of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre.

"As the investigation rules that the rangers were at fault for causing the deaths and injuries, the [compensation] panel will study the cases to determine if the 10 victims will also be entitled to receive the Bt7.5 million," he said.

Waedueramae Mamingjee, head of the investigation, said his job and that of the other 13 panel members, was over.

He praised Udomchai for being honest and admitting that the rangers were culpable, despite their acts coming under the rules of engagement, and for his transparent role in the incident and the probe.

"He is recognised as a gentleman and was instrumental in building up trust and ease among the relatives of the victims and the local community," he said.

Senator Anusas Suwannamong-khol, representing Pattani and the head of a Senate special committee on solutions to the violence in the deep South, called for the "equality of rights of victims of government acts" in the region.

Authorities should follow the same criteria in compensating those in the South as those living elsewhere, he said.

Other assistance should also be provided to the victims or their relatives, such as career training, educational support and rehabilitation for injuries and mental trauma, he said.

In yesterday's bomb attack, Somchai Khamjun, a member of the 48th Ranger Regiment, was killed and two rangers identified as Matohe Sae and Itthipol Thongsakul were wounded.

A Muslim man identified as Ahama Jehmae, who was drinking tea in a nearby cafe, was also injured.

The explosive, which was planted next to a trestle of a railway bridge in Burangae village in Tambon Bukit in Joh I Rong district, was detonated by the insurgents using a two-way radio at 7.30am, police said.

The blast did not damage the trestle but dug a hole 20cm deep and 30cm wide.

A Muslim man told police that he spotted an suspicious object left at the bridge when he was crossing the railway to the teashop so he alerted a patrol unit of 20 rangers, which was passing by. The bomb went off as the rangers were checking it. Police believe the insurgents intended to kill the rangers.

-- The Nation 2012-03-22

[sparebox2]

I think this is just a terrible mis-understanding, mis-judment, mis-take.

An apology is a must, then close the case, after all, these men are on duty to protect Thai people.

Yes their duty is to protect Thai people and through reckless neglect they killed four innocent Thais. And to compound their crime they attempted to implicate the innocents by planting weapons on them.

An apology, compensation and prosection of the guilty is the least that needs to happen.

What is surprising is that even the army appear to recognise this.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

army appear to recognise this?

Sure. If Thais make a mistake, Thais own up. Aplogise, case close.

Not like some other nation(s) who make similar deadly mistake in Afgan, than blame the local people.

[triffid]

Well someone needs to do something in the South. It's getting out of hand and needs to stop. Some of the most beautiful parts of Thailand lay in those districts.

I feel sorry for the army that is stationed there to be honest. I met some of them in the North while on leave and they were just real people and were actually rugged men to look at but when you talk to them you can tell the effect it has on them and inside they are scared as I would be.

This is a problem that I don't see ever having a happy ending and that is a true shame.

Someone did do something. His name was Thaksin Shinawatra. Google his contributions to one of the world's longest-running terrorist insurgencies. You'll be a cynic in no time.

If you mean anything other than that he aggravated the problem perhaps you would like to elaborate.

Edited March 22, 2012 by triffid

[ajarnmark]

We have hundreds of civilians a month being killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a result of conflict. When it is a genuine military mistake, all you can do is find out what happened, why it happened, and put measures in place to stop it happening again. Even if the Thais took those small steps, it would be more than happens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Have you ever been to Pakistan? or just watching fox news only? Could you please refer to any credible source?

It is much easier to hang the crap on any country or nation but it is a different matter to prove something.

What happens to a brave american "lone soldier" who killed tens of Afghanis recently? Is there any real action taken by US Army?

[geriatrickid]

I think this is just a terrible mis-understanding, mis-judment, mis-take.

An apology is a must, then close the case, after all, these men are on duty to protect Thai people.

they certainly protected those villagers.

[geriatrickid]

We have hundreds of civilians a month being killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a result of conflict. When it is a genuine military mistake, all you can do is find out what happened, why it happened, and put measures in place to stop it happening again. Even if the Thais took those small steps, it would be more than happens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Have you ever been to Pakistan? or just watching fox news only? Could you please refer to any credible source?

It is much easier to hang the crap on any country or nation but it is a different matter to prove something.

What happens to a brave american "lone soldier" who killed tens of Afghanis recently? Is there any real action taken by US Army?

The soldier in question is in custody and charged with murder. It is becoming increasingly apparent that he was mentally incompetent at the time of the atrocity. This is significantly different than the Thai error.

[geriatrickid]

Well someone needs to do something in the South. It's getting out of hand and needs to stop. Some of the most beautiful parts of Thailand lay in those districts.

I feel sorry for the army that is stationed there to be honest. I met some of them in the North while on leave and they were just real people and were actually rugged men to look at but when you talk to them you can tell the effect it has on them and inside they are scared as I would be.

This is a problem that I don't see ever having a happy ending and that is a true shame.

Someone did do something. His name was Thaksin Shinawatra. Google his contributions to one of the world's longest-running terrorist insurgencies. You'll be a cynic in no time.

If you mean anything other than that he aggravated the problem perhaps you would like to elaborate.

The military has always dictated the strategy in the South. No matter the political efforts made by Thaksin or Abhisit, it was the army command that decided. It's been that way since the start of the troubles.

[Rimmer]

Racist over the top comment removed