Inquest Inclusive On Who Fired Fatal Shot In Dusit Zoo Worker's Death: 2010 Political Violence

[webfact]

2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Inquest inclusive on who fired fatal shot in zoo worker's death

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An inquest by the Criminal Court failed on Thursday to reach a conclusion as to whether a worker of the Dusit Zoo was killed by a soldier or a redshirt protester during a clash in April 2010.

newsjs

The court ruled that public prosecutors failed to provide enough evidences to establish from which direction the bullet that killed Mana Artran, 24, was fired.

Mana was killed inside the zoo on April 10, 2010 when troops were deployed to crack down on the redshirt protesters on Rajdamnoen Road and the Kokwua Intersection.

The court was told that while Mana was leaving his night shift at the zoo at 11pm, gunfire was heard from the zoo's parking lot, and his friend, Boonmee Kaewsaithuam, saw him lying on the ground, presumably dead.

Boonmee testified that he took cover and heard the gunfire continue for about 20 minutes. Later, two bullet casings were found about 25 metres away from the body. Shirts and batons belonging to troops were also found nearby.

The court was told during the inquest that 150 troops from the Air Defence Artillery Battalion at Fort Suranaree had been deployed to maintain security at the zoo and at the Parliament. When gunfire was heard from the side of Parliament, someone shouted a warning, saying "they have come", the court heard.

The court ruled that public prosecutors had no witnesses as to who shot Mana. Public prosecutors only presented an account from a security officer of the zoo that he saw troops firing into the sky. However, the spot where the troops were firing into the sky was at a different location to where Mana was killed.

Moreover, troops also told Boonmee to lie down without any intimidation. The court said that had troops shot Mana, Boonme should have also been shot.

The court said ballistics tests carried out by police could only confirm that the bullet had entered the back of Mana's head but not confirm whether the bullet was fired from the direction where troops were lying on the ground.

The court said bullet traces found on trees indicated that bullets were fired from several directions and indicated that there were other people in the zoo at the time of the shooting.

The court said the checking of all 29 guns used by the troops in the zoo that day did not find weapons that matched the two spent shells found near Mana's body.

As a result, the court ruled that Mana was killed by a highvelocity bullet but without clear information as to who fired it.

Mana's family did not attend the court to hear the inquest's decision.

Mana was the sixth victim whose death has undergone an inquest by the Criminal Court. Earlier, the court was also inconclusive about the death of the fifth victim, Boonmee Rermsuk, 70, saying it could not be established which side killed him.

In the cases of the first four victims - Phan Khamkong, Charnnarong Polsrial, Chartchai Chalao and Kunakorn Srisuwan the court ruled that they were killed by bullets fired by troops.

-- The Nation 2013-02-21

[CelticBhoy]

If it was in the zoo mightn't it have been the labrador that recently got given a gun getting a bit of training practice before being granted a licence?

[Moruya]

It seems to be missing the con

appropriately enough!

[jonclark]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

[Luang]

I assume they mean 'inconclusive'.

[Pimay1]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

[smutcakes]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

Yes, the person who pulled the trigger.

[animatic]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

And his name does NOT start with the letter A.

[Nickymaster]

Mana was the sixth victim whose death has undergone an inquest by the Criminal Court. Earlier, the court was also inconclusive about the death of the fifth victim, Boonmee Rermsuk, 70, saying it could not be established which side killed him.

In the cases of the first four victims - Phan Khamkong, Charnnarong Polsrial, Chartchai Chalao and Kunakorn Srisuwan the court ruled that they were killed by bullets fired by troops.

It seems that people are either killed by troops or killed by...uh...nobody.

[BrianCR]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

And his name does NOT start with the letter A.

Is there anything that the person who's name does not start with "A" is NOT responsible for in this Country? Utter waffle! Have a nice day

[ballpoint]

Later, two bullet casings were found about 25 metres away from the body. Shirts and batons belonging to troops were also found nearby.

So the soldiers shot the guy, removed their shirts, put down their batons and left? Why didn't they leave pictures of themselves and paint "I did it" on their bare torsos while they were at it?

[Pimay1]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

And his name does NOT start with the letter A.

Is there anything that the person who's name does not start with "A" is NOT responsible for in this Country? Utter waffle! Have a nice day

Glad you asked. Happy to answer. He is not responsible for my weekly stock of Leo beer. My old GF makes her obligatory trip to Big C every Sunday for the purchase. You're welcome in advance.

[rubl]

Wasn't it early 2012 that the DSI decided to concentrate on the easy cases first? 'easy' as in possibly clear which side fired and maybe clear which person actually fired.

This doesn't bode well for the next cases

[webfact]

Court unable to determine who killed Dusit Zoo worker during 2010 political rally

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Feb 21 -- Thailand's Criminal Court on Thursday failed to reach a conclusion as to whether a Dusit Zoo zookeeper was killed by a government soldier or an anti-government protester during a political rally in April 2010.

The Criminal Court ruled that there was no witness and evidence to establish who fired the shot that killed zoo worker Mana Ajran on April 10, 2010.

Mr Mana was an employee of Dusit Zoo, located opposite Parliament House. He was shot dead on the night of April, 10, 2010 at the zoo.

The military were deployed to control areas on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the Kokwua Intersection and they later clashed with the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD, Red Shirt protesters), resulting in casualties and injuries on both sides.

The court was told during the earlier inquest that Mr Mana had been shot in the back of his head from a slightly low angle, with an exit wound in his forehead. The forensic expert concluded that he was killed by a high velocity bullet which destroyed his brain.

According to the ruling on Thursday, the Criminal Court said that the prosecutors who filed the petition for the court's ruling on Mr Mana's death failed to provide any witness to the time the victim was shot.

The prosecutors could not identify the direction from which the bullet was shot. Two bullet casings found about 25 metres from the body did not match with the 29 rifles of the troops from the Air Defence Artillery Battalion at Fort Suranaree who had been deployed to maintain security at the Zoo and at Parliament.

As a result, the Court ruled only that Mr Mana was killed by a high velocity bullet, without clear information as to who had fired it.

Mr Mana was the sixth victim whose death has been probed in a Criminal Court inquest. Earlier, the court was also inconclusive about the death of the fifth victim, Boonmee Rermsuk, saying it could not be established which side had killed him.

In the cases of the first four victims -- Phan Khamkong, Charnnarong Polsrila, Kunakorn Srisuwan and Chartchai Chalao -- the court ruled that they were killed by bullets fired by troops. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-21

[muttley]

Wasn't it early 2012 that the DSI decided to concentrate on the easy cases first? 'easy' as in possibly clear which side fired and maybe clear which person actually fired.

This doesn't bode well for the next cases

Wasn't it in early 2012 you first began to post this message? It seems like it, Are you going to repeat this for every inquest?

Edited February 21, 2013 by muttley

[Pimay1]

Wasn't it early 2012 that the DSI decided to concentrate on the easy cases first? 'easy' as in possibly clear which side fired and maybe clear which person actually fired.

This doesn't bode well for the next cases

Wasn't it in early 2012 you first began to post this message? It seems like it, Are you going to repeat this for every inquest?

Predictable response.

[rubl]

It seems in May 2012 we had

"Of the 89 fatalities in the capital, 25 may have been caused by state authorities, Mr Tarit said. Two other people died in the unrest, one in Khon Kaen and one in Udon Thani.

...

The DSI also found that at least 12 people died as a result of the actions of members of the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). However, Mr Tarit said that investigators could not yet determine who was responsible for the other 52 deaths."

In December 2012 we had

"DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said these nine new cases would increase the number of people allegedly killed by troops by up to 36.

...

He said three new cases had already been submitted to the Metropolitan Police and another six would be handed in later this week. Of the 36, 19 cases have been submitted by the public prosecutors to the Criminal Court to determine the cause of death, Tarit said."

http://www.nationmul...s-30189690.html

So, assuming I will get permission from our local cuddly dog mutt, let's say again: this doesn't bode well for the other cases

[SchuetzRob]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

And his name does NOT start with the letter A.

Is there anything that the person who's name does not start with "A" is NOT responsible for in this Country? Utter waffle! Have a nice day

the person whose name does not start with a thinks, phuea thai executes, so in my opinion he might indeed be responsible for what happens in this country.

[Buchholz]

Wasn't it early 2012 that the DSI decided to concentrate on the easy cases first? 'easy' as in possibly clear which side fired and maybe clear which person actually fired.

This doesn't bode well for the next cases

Wasn't it in early 2012 you first began to post this message?

Back when you were reading the forum on here as a guest, eh?

.

[Buchholz]

It seems in May 2012 we had

"Of the 89 fatalities in the capital, 25 may have been caused by state authorities, Mr Tarit said. Two other people died in the unrest, one in Khon Kaen and one in Udon Thani.

...

The DSI also found that at least 12 people died as a result of the actions of members of the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). However, Mr Tarit said that investigators could not yet determine who was responsible for the other 52 deaths."

In December 2012 we had

"DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said these nine new cases would increase the number of people allegedly killed by troops by up to 36.

...

He said three new cases had already been submitted to the Metropolitan Police and another six would be handed in later this week. Of the 36, 19 cases have been submitted by the public prosecutors to the Criminal Court to determine the cause of death, Tarit said."

http://www.nationmul...s-30189690.html

So, assuming I will get permission from our local cuddly dog mutt, let's say again: this doesn't bode well for the other cases

As in this case, in light of the inconclusive ballistic testing, evidence of weapons being fired from multiple directions, and either lack of eyewitnesses or conflicting eyewitness testimony, it certainly doesn't.

.

[muttley]

I wonder if the army has finally lost patience and had a word with the courts. The Nation had published this article earlier with the help of leaked reports from the DSI. Seems like its been forgotten.

Leaked reports tie soldiers to two shooting

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday December 26, 2010 12:00 am

Two of the 10 leaked reports purported to have come from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and recently obtained by The Nation reveal how live bullets were "likely used" on both a bystander and a red shirt, with investigators concluding both cases were likely the work of soldiers acting on orders.

In the case of Dusit Zoo keeper Mana Ajran, who was shot dead on the night of April 10 just outside the zoo, the leaked investigation document concluded that it was "likely" the work of one of the soldiers who "panicked", according to witnesses, after a dark-coloured pickup truck passed them and did a U-turn and was construed as an imminent threat.

Mana, who had just finished his work looking after the turtle pond inside the zoo, happened to be leaving the zoo's gate facing Parliament at around 11-11.30pm that night when the truck passed by.

The soldiers panicked and shouted "here they come". Soldiers rushed into the zoo, then many shots were fired for several minutes only to later discover that Mana lay in a pool of blood with a high-velocity bullet piercing the back of his head.

Witness No 1, an employee at the zoo whose name is being withheld by The Nation, stated that he ran and cried out for help after he learnt that Mana was shot, only to be shouted back by a group of soldiers. "Do you want to die? Get back." The report added that the area was occupied only by soldiers at the time and the bullet wound fits the statements by witnesses, while other witnesses who are soldiers admitted to carrying M16 rifles and other weapons.

Thus the death of Mana is "believed to likely have been caused by a soldier claiming to be acting on duty".

http://www.nationmul...g-30145205.html

Edited February 21, 2013 by muttley

[Locationthailand]

It amazes me how many of the victims were head shot. Another sad victim topped whilst troops were in the area and conveniently batons etc., were found near the body. But yes, it is inconclusive but acceptable as collateral damage.

[philw]

 

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

The most tragic thing is that the blood of all the innocents killed are on the hands of one man.

 

Only one ???

So simple...............

[rubl]

Well, big thanks to our local dog for sniffing out this clear and very obvious distinct proof of what might have happened, likely, purportedly and leaked as well. Now for some more leaks by our true and brave dog, on all the others that is. This assuming he won't be muzzled by the Army, or sold to Cambodia/Laos for the meat (in the story).

"Two of the 10 leaked reports purported to have come from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and recently obtained by The Nation reveal how live bullets were "likely used" on both a bystander and a red shirt, with investigators concluding both cases were likely the work of soldiers acting on orders."

[tominbkk]

Poor chap in the wrong place at the wrong time. They should just let it be.

[backtonormal]

 

Wasn't it early 2012 that the DSI decided to concentrate on the easy cases first? 'easy' as in possibly clear which side fired and maybe clear which person actually fired.

This doesn't bode well for the next cases

 

Got to let the odd case go so people dont start squealing about a witch hunt. High velocity bullets = snipers (I am no expert) but people need to be reminded that the only soldiers killed during this time were in April when somebody tossed a grenade in. Mr A had sufficient time before being voted out to put a case together against someone but failed to do it. The only evidence suggest another army personnel throw one in to up the anti and justify the massacre. Reds shirts armed to the teeth and not one soldier even suspiciously, remotely came any where near a bullet. So either the red shirts or men in black either were bad shots or most of the stories are just another fabrication to justify what took place. In my book there is only one party guilty buts let discuss who gave the orders

[backtonormal]

 

It amazes me how many of the victims were head shot. Another sad victim topped whilst troops were in the area and conveniently batons etc., were found near the body. But yes, it is inconclusive but acceptable as collateral damage.

 

It should not surprise you that most were head shots that what snipers can do. Also 2250 sniper rounds were not returned to the armoury. I wonder why

[rubl]

Back to normal we try to avoid wild speculations even if it fits with ideas some people have.

BTW just reading a NewYorkTimes article from yesterday and found a similar attitude, about preconceived conclusions that is:

"Party strategists have advised Republican members to aggressively blame the president for the creation of the automatic cuts and the failure to stop them."

[backtonormal]

 

Back to normal we try to avoid wild speculations even if it fits with ideas some people have.

BTW just reading a NewYorkTimes article from yesterday and found a similar attitude, about preconceived conclusions that is:

"Party strategists have advised Republican members to aggressively blame the president for the creation of the automatic cuts and the failure to stop them."

 

Lets call wild thought provoking and different from the security forces apologists who haunt these threads in a hope to bring back a little credibility to their chosen political allegiance. The Titantic is sinking...good idea you jump now

[A Member]

Once again it is possible for someone to die in Thailand and for the perpetrators to get away the crime. (be them regular army or red shirt army)

Mana - aged 24 - probably had children, who will now grow up fatherless in a family without a breadwinner.

So now what happens? The whole affair is swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten as an inconclusive verdict is of no political value to either side and therefore has outlived its usefulness - tragic.

Was this genuinely inconclusive or conveniently inconclusive ? Now they can get on with the amnesty then close their eyes and pretend nothing ever happened