Police must get to bottom of Ramkhamheang violence: Thai editorial

webfact · December 17, 2013

EDITORIAL
Police must get to bottom of Ramkhamheang violence
The Nation

The mystery that surrounds the deadly clashes between students and red-shirt protesters must be solved

BANGKOK: -- Almost three weeks have passed since clashes between students and red-shirt demonstrators at Ramkhamheang University left four dead and some 60 injured. Yet the incident remains a mysterious chapter in the ongoing political crisis.

Ramkhamheang students yesterday called for justice for the victims, demanding that Hua Mark police step up their investigations and threatening to petition National Police headquarters.

Red-shirt demonstrators also want a speedy investigation and report on the violence. Each side has given a different story of what happened on the night of November 30. These, along with the many media reports on the violence, have done little to clarify exactly what happened. The big questions remain unanswered: Who was responsible for the shootings? And did each side attack the other, or was there a "third hand" involved.

Apart from their duty to investigate, police also have to take responsibility for failing to prevent the clashes. The first sign of trouble came the day before, with a report that red shirts had attacked students and destroyed an anti-government banner at the university. The following afternoon, a number of red-shirt demonstrators were beaten by students as they made their way to the Rajamangala Stadium rally. Onstage at the stadium, Jatuporn Prompan acknowledged the possibility of confrontations between students and red shirts. He said the students had a right to protest but also warned they could be hurt if they mobilised people to come to Rajamangala.

The two sides were probably well aware prior to the clashes of the possibility of violence. Had the police paid attention to keeping order, the violence might have been avoided. But by the time they broke out, it was too late. One result was that Ramkhamheang students were left stranded without protection for 17 hours. The red shirts too were kept "trapped" inside Rajamangala Stadium for their own safety. Outside, the streets of Ramkhamheang were turned into a "war zone", the air filled with the sound of gunfire.

Wutthisak Larpcharoensap, the university's rector, said he was with thousands of students inside the university, but police refused to come to their aid as they said they were busy safeguarding the red shirts at Rajamangala Stadium. Finally, news came through that the students would be getting protection from the police. The rector also said he had spoken by telephone with red-shirt leader Jatuporn, who told him there was a "third hand" involved in the clash. Wutthisak insisted that whoever was involved, the police had to demonstrate they could keep public order.

When the terror at Ramkhamheang subsided, the police were once again criticised for failing to help the students. Thousands of students stayed overnight in the university compound, escorted to safety the next day by military troops. Police claimed they had mobilised officers but couldn't get into the area, so the men stood by and waited for the military.

The duty of police is to piece together the jigsaw puzzle to clear up the mystery and get a full picture of what happened on November 30. They must also explain their role, and actions or lack of, in this case. The Ramkhamheang violence must not be swept under the carpet to become yet another unexplained chapter in modern Thai politics. More importantly, the police must bring justice for all its victims - the dead and injured and their family members.

-- The Nation 2013-12-18

Emptyset · December 17, 2013

Funny, I'd heard about trouble between students and red shirts a few days before that, when students attacked and beat red shirts leaving the stadium, but the Nation is either unaware of that or chooses not to report it. But imo, the fact that happened is another reason that the UDD should've called off the rally in that particular place.

As to whether there was a 'third hand' involved on the night of the clashes - well, that's an open question. Both the reds and the student side seems to think there was. Both Chaturon and the Rector of RU claimed that people were shot at from a distance. But witnesses also saw ordinary reds and students carrying guns, apparently, so... we know both sides are likely to be armed, so it shouldn't be that surprising. On the other hand, the fact that both the red shirts and the university rector were claiming that there were snipers inside the university itself lends some credence to the theory, and both sides also claim to have been shot at from a bridge. But how can we be sure the people who shot at reds from inside the university campus weren't students and the ones on the bridge in the morning, ordinary reds? Who knows...

It is clear that the police did show up to try to stop the violence but were unable to do much about it. What should they have done, started shooting at one side or the other? Wouldn't they have just made things worse?

Edited December 17, 2013 by Emptyset

NongKhaiKid · December 18, 2013

The " third hand ", " dark forces " etc. is a wonderful excuse for everybody including the BIB.

Bender · December 18, 2013

Well you dont need to be Colombo, to know from which side the violence started!

Who want a coup? of course Suthep

Who is ready to do anything to bring the army out the casern? Suthep 's side of course!

Who ordered the bloody crackdown in 2010? Suthep

Who showed some sign of dementia these last few weeks? Suthep Suthep Suthep...

WhizBang · December 18, 2013

Fat chance of the police 'solving' what happened. That's like asking the fox to guard the hen house.

Some reports I have read indicated that some of the perps were police.

Curt1591 · December 18, 2013

Violence isn't foreign to Ramkhamheang U.

LuckyLew · December 18, 2013

It is easy

The reds came for a war

The reds had weapons

The students had bigger weapons

A few reds got whacked

The reds surrendered and went home

The police did nothing

Case closed

They can investigate all they want, the truth will never be known

one thing for sure though is that the police were pathetic

Showing up two hours ofter it all started is less then impressive

There should have been a massive police presence before the reds arrived

Curt1591 · December 18, 2013

I thought you just gave us the truth.

whybother · December 18, 2013

It's funny how the only deaths that have occurred during this round of protests involved red shirts.

Sent from my phone ...

Bender · December 18, 2013

yes because they have been murdered by the yellow terrorists!

or maybe you gonna claims they did commit suicide?

oops i forget as yellow shirt supporter, you dont have so much common sense

Curt1591 · December 18, 2013

They ran in front of the peaceful protester's sticks, knives and bullets!

Spare · December 18, 2013

4 Red shirts die vs 1 anti govt.

Who kill who?

Bakseeda · December 18, 2013

Bender, on 18 Dec 2013 - 07:04, said:

yes because they have been murdered by the yellow terrorists!

or maybe you gonna claims they did commit suicide?

oops i forget as yellow shirt supporter, you dont have so much common sense

Seems to me that Brains beat Brawn.......... for once..

wprime · December 18, 2013

and an anti-Thaksin supporter would say:

Which side has a history of violence? Red Shirts

Which side is ready to do anything to support the government? Red Shirts of course!

Which side verbally threatened violence? Red Shirts

Which side is illegally led by an accused terrorist in breech of his bail conditions? Red Shirts

My point is that from a strictly objective perspective either side could be responsible. To assume it to be one side or the other is responsible demonstrates your own ignorance to your own subjectivity more than anything else.

I'm guessing you only get your news through AFP - they censored reports of the 21 yr old RU student who was shot dead by someone dressed in red shirt militia uniform.

Edited December 18, 2013 by wprime

seajae · December 18, 2013

so there were no deaths or serious injuries untill the red shirts became involved. the students clashed with them and then the deaths started, sounds very similar to last big problem doesnt it. No doubt the students were primed for it but the red shirts came armed into their area and warned they would attack if they didnt get their way(again like last time). If the red shirts had not been there none of this would have happened, very poor planning or very good planning whichever way you look at it.......

Bender · December 18, 2013

wrong, absolutely wrong.

Once again you bring Thaskin and the red shirt in this problem... so you might have a problem with TS or whatever, but this is your problem.

Today, Thailand do have a problem with a yellow thug who try to bring down a legitimate elected government. This is my point.

You might suffer from red-phobia, i will just say its your problem, not mine!

I dont show any support to any color, i just show support to a legitimate government... and yes i have a problem with yellow thugs... finally you might get it!

You might be objective but you lack of logic...that what make your comment completely irrelevant,

ps: but once again if you have some problem with TS, keep it for yourself, dont put me in!

Edited December 18, 2013 by Bender

Spare · December 18, 2013

They also forgot to mention the censored reports of the FOUR dead Red-shirts who was shot dead by someone dressed in yellow shirt militia uniform.

Don't forget the score is 4:1 (4 red dead vs 1 yellow dead).

Lite Beer · December 18, 2013

PCAD Wants Police To Investigate Ramkhamhaeng Incident

Anti-government protesters have demanded the police to speed up their investigation of the clashes in Bangkok′s Ramkhamhaeng district which killed one of their supporters.

In a statement submitted to Pol.Gen. Ake Angsananond at headquarters of the Royal Thai Police, the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) said it had previously instructed the police to investigate the death in a week, yet the police failed to heed to the deadline.

Four people were reportedly killed in the violence between Redshirts and anti-government protesters which lasted throughout the night of 30 November near Rajamangala Stadium where the Redshirts were holding a mass rally in support of the government.

All victims died of gunshot wounds, police said.

Although three Redshirts also died in the violence, their deaths have never been publicly mentioned by PCAD leaders.

Mr. Taworn Senniam, representing the PCAD in the meeting with Pol.Gen. Ake, told the officer he is suspicious of the police′s efforts in investigating the death of anti-government protester, identified as Mr. Teerasak Phokaew.

Mr. Taworn claimed that the police have already arrested the suspects accused of torching a bus carrying Redshirts, yet they have not arrested any suspect in connection with the murder of Mr. Teerasak.

He added that Mr. Teerasak′s parents have asked the PCAD to relay their message to the police that they are still waiting for justice on behalf of their dead son.

The PCAD representative also warned that if the police still failed to apprehend any suspect in the case, it would retaliate with further activities.

Source:

-- Khaosod English 2013-12-18

Netizen · December 18, 2013

The leadership of the police are self-acknowledged followers of convicted criminal Thaksin Shinawatra.

Police leaders should be removed from office and replaced by honest decent officials.

Edited December 18, 2013 by Netizen

billd766 · December 18, 2013

This is Thailand.

Where would you find honest decent police officials?

whybother · December 18, 2013

<deleted>???

Sent from my phone ...

whybother · December 18, 2013

Obviously its a red shirt problem. Anti-government protesters fight with the police ... No deaths. Anti-government protesters fight with red shirts ... Deaths.

Sent from my phone ...

tingtongteesood · December 18, 2013

COMPLETE BULLSHIT ! Who tries to rule by intimidation and strongarm others into agreeing them with the threat of violence ? REDS !

Who formed an armed mob and tried to burn down Bangkok in 2010 ? REDS !

Which group seems to take violence and needless murders with them wherever they go ? REDS !

Nuff said ! Now go back under your bridge Mr. red troll....

Ulic · December 18, 2013

That does about sum it up. Everyone forgets the students are generally well armed as they are used

you fighting with rival schools. Both sides were spoiling for a fight and the got it. The students

came out on top but the Red shirts got licks in. Dole out the appropriate compensation and move along.

waza · December 18, 2013

Hmmm seem everyone has forgot about the grenades that were lobbed at the students.

She said that the news reported that Ramkhamhaeng University ..... first man coming out throwing a grenade in the direction of the university

RT@RichardBarrow: 10pm RT @aleursic: Students urging everybody to take cover under expressway, as 2-3 grenades were launched by Red shirts a few minutes ago

Around 6.30 am today, M79 grenades were fired at Ramkhamhaeng University area. - president of Ramkhamhaeng alumni. via

As for the dead redshirts, well in most countries looters are shot..........

Edited December 18, 2013 by waza

wprime · December 18, 2013

They mentioned at least one red shirt death, the bloke on the motorcycle, they even put a photo of his helmet full of blood. Yellow shirts don't have a militia uniform, they allege that red shirt was shot by an RU student - are you suggesting that you have evidence that the yellow shirts were involved?

Robby nz · December 18, 2013

The MRS who was there at the time tells me that she was helping a nurse who was looking after the injured that she personally helped one of the ordinary protesters who was shot in the leg.

So there were not only reds and students who were the victims of shootings and not only dead but over 50 who were injured.

She said none of them had been worried about the police tear gas but when the shooting and bombs started everyone was scared.

Sign In

Police must get to bottom of Ramkhamheang violence: Thai editorial

Recommended Posts

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Recently Browsing 0 members

Announcements

Topics

Latest posts...

Popular in The Pub

ASEANNOW

MORE INFO

POPULAR AREAS

CONTACT US