Inquiry Over Deaths of Suspected Militants Due on 3 April
By Khaosod English


Inquiry panel meeting about the deaths of four men during a military raid in Pattani, 29 March 2015.

BANGKOK — An investigation into the killing of four suspected militants in the southern border province of Pattani will be completed by 3 April, according to a top member of Thailand’s military junta.

"We have formed a committee to investigate the facts," said Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy chairman of the junta. "State officials are not apathetic about what the local residents are concerned about. Right now we are proceeding in accordance with the laws, and the laws do not side with anyone."

The four men, all in their early twenties or thirties, were shot dead during a raid carried out by police, military, and paramilitary rangers on a village in Thung Yang Daeng district of Pattani province on 25 March. Twenty-two men other were also arrested and taken to army camps.

Police said they opened fire after encountering resistance from the suspects, who they believed were plotting attacks in the area. Two of the deceased were initially identified as members of RKK, one of the Islamic militant groups behind a secessionist movement that has claimed more than 6,000 lives in the region.

However, it later emerged that none of the victims had any pre-existing criminal records of participating in the secessionist movement, prompting relatives and community leaders to demand an impartial investigation into the raid.

Officials in Pattani say they have convened a 17-member panel to investigate the raid. The panel includes local administrative officials, National Human Rights Commissioners, military officers, and representatives from the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand, and Fatoni University, where two of the victims were enrolled as students.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1427775986


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-31

"Right now we are proceeding in accordance with the laws, and the laws do not side with anyone."

Excuse me.

The nation is in lockdown under MARTIAL LAW that is being imposed by the military. How does that NOT side with the military?

"Police said they opened fire after encountering resistance [not gunfire] from the suspects...it later emerged that none of the victims had any pre-existing criminal records of participating in the secessionist movement."

Under martial law the police are under MILITARY COMMAND. And the military wonders why it still cannot wipe out the Malay Thai insurgency.

Edited March 31, 201511 yr by Srikcir

"Right now we are proceeding in accordance with the laws, and the laws do not side with anyone."

Excuse me.

The nation is in lockdown under MARTIAL LAW that is being imposed by the military. How does that NOT side with the military?

"Police said they opened fire after encountering resistance [not gunfire] from the suspects...it later emerged that none of the victims had any pre-existing criminal records of participating in the secessionist movement."

Under martial law the police are under MILITARY COMMAND. And the military wonders why it still cannot wipe out the Malay Thai insurgency.

No, I don't excuse you. Where was it stated that 'resistance' excluded gunfire?