Criminal Court Rules Bangkok Taxi Driver Killed By Troops: 2010 Political Violence

[webfact]

2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Criminal Court rules taxi driver killed by troops

The Nation

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Nittaya, daughter of Kam weeps during an interview before the court delivers the verdict.//Photo : Watcharachai Klaipong

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court Monday ruled that a taxi driver was shot dead by troops deployed to tighten security around Rajprasong Intesection in May 2010.

Phan Khamkong was shot dead between 12.05am and 1am on May 16. He was shot in the left chest and the bullet also pierced his right arm.

The court ruled that troops who were carrying out the operation fired at a van driven by Samorn Maithong when it was trying to break through the security checkpoint of troops in the Rajprasong.

Phan was shot by .223 bullet, which was a type of ammunition used by Army troops.

The court ruled that he was killed as a result of the security keeping operations ordered by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation.

The case of Phan's death was the first of 19 deaths arising from the 2010 political violence sent to the court by public prosecutors.

Public prosecutors told the court that Phan went to rent his taxi to drive in Wat Saket area on May 14.

At 8pm on May 15, Phan called his daughter to day that he was hiding at a condominium construction site in Rajprarop. This was the last time his daughter heard from him.

The Department of Special Investigation have yet to prove whether troops in the area shot at Phan on their own or were simply carrying out an unlawful order. If carrying out an order, they would not be held responsible. Legal action would be taken against those who gave the order.

-- The Nation 2012-09-17

[pedro01]

"Legal action would be taken against those who gave the order."

Why?

He tried to drive through an armed security check point. The person at fault was the driver.

[Nickymaster]

The court ruled that troops who were carrying out the operation fired at a van driven by Samorn Maithong when it was trying to break through the security checkpoint of troops in the Rajprasong.

By May 16, 2010 how many officials were already killed by people simply driving into them?

[jonclark]

I think what this ruling means is that Thai people in general are allowed to ignore the rule of law, when it suits them and lay the blame for the consequences on their demise or injury on those that initiated the law in the first place.

I'm not surprised though as Politicians have been doing this for years in Thailand. I'm surprised it took the locals so long before they tried the same legal defense themselves.

[webfact]

topic continues here:

Army behind Thai protest death: inquest

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-death-inquest/

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