Girl, 5, killed in Trat rally attack

[webfact]

Girl, 5, killed in Trat rally attack
The Nation



TRAT: -- A FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL from Khao Saming in Trat has become the first child killed during the latest wave of political violence, while a another young girl is in a critical conditions in hospital after being wounded at the same anti-government rally.

It is understood the wounded girl, also aged five, is brain dead.

Another three children at least - two girls and a boy - were injured when an unknown group shot and threw grenades at a rally by the People's Democratic Reform Committee at Yingcharoen fresh market in tambon San Tung on Saturday night.

The girl died after being shot in the head. At that time, she was playing near her grandmother's noodle stall, which was closed due to the anti-government rally in the eastern province.

Supaporn Pincha, 28, the mother of the dead girl, said her family was not there for the rally.

She said her daughter was playing while helping her grandmother wash dishes at the noodle stall.

"When I heard the sound of the bomb attack I saw my daughter collapse but I could not help her as there still was a sound of bomb explosions," Supaporn said.

"When the bomb attack ended I called out for other people to help her."

The girl's uncle, Somkid Boonchoo, 54, said before the attack he saw a group of men drive up to the demonstration site in two pickup trucks.

He said they were driving slowly and then started firing guns and throwing grenades.

When the attack ended he said he saw the two trucks leave the area and he tried to follow them but it was too dark.

Sombat Boonchu, a customer at a noodle stall, also said he saw two vehicles travel slowly into the market and a person in the first vehicle hurled a grenade out while shots were fired from the second vehicle.

"I quickly pulled my son away from the noodle stall as I saw the grenades heading that way," he said. His son sustained minor shrapnel injuries.

About 35 people were injured in the attack, including a second young girl, who was in a critical condition after being shot and hit with bomb fragments.

The PDRC's Trat spokesman, Suwicharn Suwannakha, was sure that the attackers were not locals.

Suwicharn said locals knew and loved one another and were not opposed to the rally.

"We didn't expect anyone would cause a disturbance. We have no people from the other side here," he said.

Suwicharn said the attack happened while Pong Sarakham, a PDRC leader, was making a speech to about 2,000 people at 9.30pm.

The spokesman said he heard a few explosions and the sound of gunfire and saw chairs in front of the rally stage scattered.

Some people ran and others lay down.

"It was chaotic. I saw two pickup trucks speed away. I believe they were attackers," Suwicharn said.


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

[JRSoul]

Not one person got a plate number, even partial? Perhaps it would be inconvenient to release that information.

[ikurauni]

It really makes me sick. They should stop doing this.

[noikrit]

No one will be arrested , the BIBs saw nothing whilst inocent children are being slaughtered ..... And the Red Shirt Brigade call the Anti Government Protesters Thugs ! ..... Pathetic !! ... RIP Little Girl ....

[Alwyn]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

[Crushdepth]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

It's got nothing to do with that.

[Alwyn]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

It's got nothing to do with that.

Thanks for clearing that up then.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Alwyn

[fleeing]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

So the police are not allowed to use force against protesters in Bangkok, and that leads to extremely violent force being used against peaceful protesters and bystanders in Trat?

[jaltsc]

"A FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL from Khao Saming in Trat has become the first child killed during the latest wave of political violence, while a another young girl is in a critical conditions in hospital after being wounded at the same anti-government rally."

Nothing more than a bunch of anti-social thugs who use politics and reform as excuses to enact their destructive behaviors. Whether they are in uniform, wear red or yellow, doesn't matter. They are selfish and only care about feeding the distorted needs of their sick and disordered personaltities. Sacrificing innocent children will do nothing to slow them down, or more unfortunately, will not motivate the legal system to take any actions to prevent the violence perpetuated by these social pariahs.

Edited February 24, 2014 by jaltsc

[Alwyn]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

So the police are not allowed to use force against protesters in Bangkok, and that leads to extremely violent force being used against peaceful protesters and bystanders in Trat?

Yes, I think impunity is what these animals now have, from both sides too.

[WilliamCave]

I am watching it on Thai news now .

They showed on tv the child that was killed and showed them carrying her body to a stretcher along with the other child that was hurt.

Almost in Tears when they showed there pictures on tv.

So sad , every time I see innocence taken

God be with them

[Thait Spot]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

It won't suit your one eyed argument, but there isn't a state of emergency in Trat.

You also don't need force to man some roadblocks

[Alwyn]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

It won't suit your one eyed argument, but there isn't a state of emergency in Trat.

You also don't need force to man some roadblocks

There's a state of emergency in BKK. It's useless. It's true you don't need force to man roadblocks but here's the point (my point anyway) what do the people manning the roadblock do when confronted by nut jobs weilding firearms and grenade launchers? Usually the thing to do is stop them before they can damage anybody but when the court has ruled no use of force or violence how do you do it? I have a particular loathing for terrorists or "freedom fighters" and in my opinion nothing but extreme force should be employed when confronted by them. This court ruling is hindering rather than helping anybody. It's the police's job to protect the public, why make it even more difficult for them with rulings like this? I'm sorry if you think it's a one-eyed argument but maybe some people might still be alive today if not for this ruling which appears to shackle law enforcment and grant street violence credibility. I'm much rather have a few protesters pissed off than dead people - especially children who have nothing to do with this appaling nonsense. If you're telling me the police in Trat are allowed to use force to stop these armed attackers then shame on them for not doing so.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Alwyn

[rocky3]

this is terrible, i can only say may god grant them peace for too soon they go. as for the perpertrators may they burn forever more and feel the pain of the family ten fold. nothing can forgive this madness. Suthep end your madness now. Yingluck yeild only to elections as this is the true and proper route to be taken under the constitution. I do not care what the elite want i want a permanent fix and believe the next government can handle reforms. but can the elite live with reforms that are neccessary, in police, army, courts, and politics.

[rocky3]

Yingluck will be charged if and when evidence is presented that points to her. why not point your evil minded finger at Suthep the unmovable one who loves the popcorn shooters. there are many that hate him all ready and very tired of listening to what comes out of his mouth. AV has sealed his fate by not voting so don't look for him to head the next government. he (AV) should have spoken against his former puppet master early on and followed the constitution for a resolution.

[sms747]

No one will be arrested , the BIBs saw nothing whilst inocent children are being slaughtered ..... And the Red Shirt Brigade call the Anti Government Protesters Thugs ! ..... Pathetic !! ... RIP Little Girl ....

There are thugs on all sides, they are all corrupt and all undemocratic. The problem is not one of sides or individuals but the whole rotten corrupt system, the problem is seemingly unsolvable with the present social and political system. Poor kid, killed by the country.

[mok199]

..........................................................................................................................................now we see,this is not a ''little campout'',a ''sleep over''..this is the reallity of war...innocent victims..

[BudRight]

Can we be a little fair? The child was not murdered by the country, they were murdered by a maniac individual. That said, it seems like a bad idea to continue to bring children to these events. Leave the kids at home please.

[TVGerry]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

So the police are not allowed to use force against protesters in Bangkok, and that leads to extremely violent force being used against peaceful protesters and bystanders in Trat?

Yes, I think impunity is what these animals now have, from both sides too.

When you use the words 'animals' from 'both sides', I wish to point out that the protestors have been relatively peaceful and have not actually shot nor bombed the other side. That has however happened to them on a daily basis, culminating in the 2 cowardly weekend attacks. Furthermore, who are the ones who are gleefully cheering the deaths to the huge applause of their supporters?

[TVGerry]

Can we be a little fair? The child was not murdered by the country, they were murdered by a maniac individual. That said, it seems like a bad idea to continue to bring children to these events. Leave the kids at home please.

She wasn't there for the protest, she was there at the market to have her kuay teow. The assailants just fired indiscriminately and hit her.

Edited February 24, 2014 by TVGerry

[Scamper]

" We didn't expect anyone would cause a disturbance. We have no people from the other side here," he said.

Indeed, in Trat there wouldn't be. Which leads to the inevitable conclusion that Cambodia - whose country borders with Trat - is on everyone's minds. It is impossible to read this article without being seized with the sickening conviction that this was a crime against humanity. Just look at the result of it - children. Children. That is what this has come down to in all its unspeakable ugliness. There are two new factors in evidence in these two recent attacks at a shopping mall and in Trat - they are terrorist attacks not only in terms of unspeakable brutality but they are also random, and are now targeting people in a market and a shopping mall. The shopping mall in particular is a case in point because - as detonating bombs at a location where the people killed wouldn't be - in any shape or form - involved in the protest movement. The object of these attacks was to inject fear into the Thai people.

Under the assumption that all things criminal have their basis in motive, these are the conclusions a criminologist would make, based upon these crimes :

- some force either within the country or out of it - does not want reform

- some force either within the country or out of it - is sufficiently wealthy to be able to commission small armies

- some force either within the country or out of it - is also sufficiently without conscience to direct such activities

Regardless as whether this force is within the country or out of it - this force is engaged in mass murder.

If the force is from outside of the country - it is a sovereign threat.

If the force is from within the country - it is treason.

If the force is a combination of the two - it is both treasonous and a sovereign threat.

[Alwyn]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

So the police are not allowed to use force against protesters in Bangkok, and that leads to extremely violent force being used against peaceful protesters and bystanders in Trat?

Yes, I think impunity is what these animals now have, from both sides too.

When you use the words 'animals' from 'both sides', I wish to point out that the protestors have been relatively peaceful and have not actually shot nor bombed the other side. That has however happened to them on a daily basis, culminating in the 2 cowardly weekend attacks. Furthermore, who are the ones who are gleefully cheering the deaths to the huge applause of their supporters?

Well Gerry, that just is not true is it? Although I you're going to say it wasn't the protesters but agents provocatuer. The grenade that was vividly shown taking the police officers leg off? 4 killed during that "protest"... missile from the crowd which appeared to be protesters. Agents provocatuer you're going to shout! Not agents provocateur when the other side start though. It's all twisted however we look at it. Thais killing and maiming other Thais and why? Forget Thaksin for a moment. It's just a different set of snouts fighting to get at the trough. Thaksin is no worse than any of the others, no better either. These greedy, power hungry toads have Thais playing off against Thais in the worst way possible. One family not wanting to let go, others wanting to stop a democratic governance in an eletoral country for their own agends. It's sad, sad for the regular Thais who are being used by both sides.

[TVGerry]

When you use the words 'animals' from 'both sides', I wish to point out that the protestors have been relatively peaceful and have not actually shot nor bombed the other side. That has however happened to them on a daily basis, culminating in the 2 cowardly weekend attacks. Furthermore, who are the ones who are gleefully cheering the deaths to the huge applause of their supporters?

Well Gerry, that just is not true is it? Although I you're going to say it wasn't the protesters but agents provocatuer. The grenade that was vividly shown taking the police officers leg off? 4 killed during that "protest"... missile from the crowd which appeared to be protesters. Agents provocatuer you're going to shout! Not agents provocateur when the other side start though. It's all twisted however we look at it. Thais killing and maiming other Thais and why? Forget Thaksin for a moment. It's just a different set of snouts fighting to get at the trough. Thaksin is no worse than any of the others, no better either. These greedy, power hungry toads have Thais playing off against Thais in the worst way possible. One family not wanting to let go, others wanting to stop a democratic governance in an eletoral country for their own agends. It's sad, sad for the regular Thais who are being used by both sides.

That incident with the policeman, that was a fight between two armed sides with the protestors suffering more casualties. You really want to compare that to the cowardly attacks on the protestors in which there was zero percent chance of them fighting back?

The fact of the matter is while both sides are 'bad', I pick Suthep's side as the lesser of 2 evils.

[Alwyn]

When you use the words 'animals' from 'both sides', I wish to point out that the protestors have been relatively peaceful and have not actually shot nor bombed the other side. That has however happened to them on a daily basis, culminating in the 2 cowardly weekend attacks. Furthermore, who are the ones who are gleefully cheering the deaths to the huge applause of their supporters?

Well Gerry, that just is not true is it? Although I you're going to say it wasn't the protesters but agents provocatuer. The grenade that was vividly shown taking the police officers leg off? 4 killed during that "protest"... missile from the crowd which appeared to be protesters. Agents provocatuer you're going to shout! Not agents provocateur when the other side start though. It's all twisted however we look at it. Thais killing and maiming other Thais and why? Forget Thaksin for a moment. It's just a different set of snouts fighting to get at the trough. Thaksin is no worse than any of the others, no better either. These greedy, power hungry toads have Thais playing off against Thais in the worst way possible. One family not wanting to let go, others wanting to stop a democratic governance in an eletoral country for their own agends. It's sad, sad for the regular Thais who are being used by both sides.

That incident with the policeman, that was a fight between two armed sides with the protestors suffering more casualties. You really want to compare that to the cowardly attacks on the protestors in which there was zero percent chance of them fighting back?

The fact of the matter is while both sides are 'bad', I pick Suthep's side as the lesser of 2 evils.

Gerry, I'm not comparing anything, you said the protesters had done no wrong - it's just not true. Of course I don't want to compare attrocities. When children are caught in the middle, there is nothing worse, ever. You go right on and pick who ever floats your boat Gerry, that's what's great about freedom of speech etc. Personally I don't thinks there's anything to choose between them with the exception of one thing Suthep has done which is unforgivable. Taking away people's right to vote. However one looks at it the government weas voted in by a majority. They stepped down as Suthep asked them and offered the vote as Suthep originally asked them. Then proceeded to stop people from their basic right - to vote. Attack government buildings, threaten to kidnap YL, who cares? The ordinary people's right to show how they feel through balloting.. wrong.. Anyway. Have a nice day, I'm off to the beach for a cold one!

[Gweiloman]

This is a truly despicable and disgusting act. I hope that the perpetrators will pay for this, if not in this life, then in the next.

Not being a military person, this seems to me to be a well organised and coordinated military effort, designed to bring about maximum casualties. Any military experts out there that would care to comment (objectively)?. I doubt that random individuals would be able to carry out such an attack.

For those posters who would criticise the BIB for allowing this to happen, I think that criticism is unfair. Trat has not been a venue of any significance until two days ago. A rally could have been organised there and if not for this tragic happening, might not even have been reported on TV. There was no reason to suspect that there would be any violence (especially as there didn't seem to be any major leaders). So imo, it must have been instigated by someone local as well.

[slipperylobster]

Not one person got a plate number, even partial? Perhaps it would be inconvenient to release that information.

Perhaps stolen/home made plates were used for this strike. It would be pretty hard to drive that same vehicle, with the same plates, all over Thailand and not get caught...if the vehicle and plates were reported or recorded on a cam. In a getaway vehicle, it seems paramount to think of a way to ditch the plates/vehicle, split up, and avoid capture by having other resources nearby. Especially thought out if this was an organized attack.

[Davidhere]

Not being a military person, this seems to me to be a well organised and coordinated military effort, designed to bring about maximum casualties. Any military experts out there that would care to comment (objectively)?. I doubt that random individuals would be able to carry out such an attack.

Nothing particularly difficult about organizing 2 pickups and having grrenades thrown from one and automatic weapons being fired from the second.

A more coordinated effort with maximum casualties as the goal would have resulted in casualty figures in the hundreds, given that 2,000 were in attendance.

.

[stickyrice2000]

Between Suthep and Yingluck, I believe Yingluck is more soft hearted than Suthep. You are jumping to the conclusion without any evidences. There are many possibilities during this political unrest including terrorist, staging, government, police, etc. Thai politic is too dirty for anyone to guess.

[slipperylobster]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

It's got nothing to do with that.

Thanks for clearing that up then.

Exactly. Sounds like you have some information, and are not providing.

[jonclark]

The police have been told by the court they are not allowed to use force.. This is what happens and will get worse. RIP little one.

It won't suit your one eyed argument, but there isn't a state of emergency in Trat.

You also don't need force to man some roadblocks

There's a state of emergency in BKK. It's useless. It's true you don't need force to man roadblocks but here's the point (my point anyway) what do the people manning the roadblock do when confronted by nut jobs weilding firearms and grenade launchers? Usually the thing to do is stop them before they can damage anybody but when the court has ruled no use of force or violence how do you do it? I have a particular loathing for terrorists or "freedom fighters" and in my opinion nothing but extreme force should be employed when confronted by them. This court ruling is hindering rather than helping anybody. It's the police's job to protect the public, why make it even more difficult for them with rulings like this? I'm sorry if you think it's a one-eyed argument but maybe some people might still be alive today if not for this ruling which appears to shackle law enforcment and grant street violence credibility. I'm much rather have a few protesters pissed off than dead people - especially children who have nothing to do with this appaling nonsense. If you're telling me the police in Trat are allowed to use force to stop these armed attackers then shame on them for not doing so.

The court ruling has nothing to do with this incident.

The court ruled the protesters could not be dispersed by force.

That doesn't mean the police are barred from using force to uphold the laws throughout the rest of Thailand, for example when people are shooting and blowing up innocent civilians as we see in this case.

If you seriously think that the police are now barred from using force. I suggest you find a local group of policemen, spit in their face, call their mothers dirty whores, kick them in the nuts and challenge them to a fight.

You may find your assumption about lack of force to way off the mark