POLITICS
Family of nurse 'Kate' opposes both amnesty bills
Akkarachai Kanyamala,
Nattanut Wongpariyakul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Relatives of victims of the political turmoil in mid-2010 led by Kamolket Akahad's brother Nattapat held a press conference yesterday to oppose the national reconciliation bill.

Nattapat Akahad also called for the removal of Tarit Pengdith, head of the Department of Special Investigation, from its team probing the killings.

Payao, the mother of Kamolket - nurse "Kate" - also joined the press conference at the Rattanakosin Hotel.

The Akahad family said they reject the National Reconciliation Bill, proposed by Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobamrung, which would acquit everyone guilty of being involved in political conflict since the coup in September 2006; including people who ordered and killed citizens during the crisis.

Family members said they also oppose Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema's Amnesty Bill, as it would also acquit murderers. As long as they fail to see justice coming to light, the Akahads will continue rejecting the bill.

Kamolket was a 25-year-old nurse who volunteered to help look after people during the 2010 crisis. She was shot dead at Wat Pathum Wanaram, near Ratchaprasong, on May 19 while giving medical aid to a patient. Her death left her family in remorse, partly because there has been no progress to date in identifying or finding the person who shot Kamolket.

Payao said the family's position consists of three main points: first, they confirmed that they did not ignore people now imprisoned due to accusations during "Black May" protests in 1992 as they stated that they would support the people's bill. Secondly, they reject both the National Reconciliation Bill and the Amnesty Bill, as they don't want to see culprits get off without being punished for their actions. Thirdly, they said if the head of the DSI (Department of Special Investigation) remained, the truth would not be revealed. DSI chief Tarit Pengdith should resign, as Tarit was part of the Centre of Resolution for the Emergency Situation - and thus a suspect in terms of those responsible for killings.

Nattapat said the government and red-shirt leaders never asked for his opinion before proposing their bills. "They never asked us how we feel before they proposed the law, not even when they decided to draft it.

"We feel like being a political piece of meat, that we have no meaning to them - they're just using us if they feel they want to."

He wanted every person who committed crimes to be punished, including soldiers. And his message for the military was "I'm not afraid of you".

The family confirmed they still go to demonstrations with the red shirts, if asked, but prefer to stick with their group and not join any activity with others. Right now all they want is the truth, as people who want to know what happened, not just get money - to help "cure" their minds.

Nattapat said if they were ignored by the government and others, they would adopt other tactics, which he said would be revealed later.


-- The Nation 2013-05-31

You can't get rid of Tarit. He is proof that you can be reincarnated in Thailand without even having to die.