Inquests into riot shootings fail to point finger at killers

[Lite Beer]

Inquests into riot shootings fail to point finger at killers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court's inquest into the killing of Hiroyuki Muramoto, a photojournalist for Reuters news agency, during the red-shirt riots in 2010 ended inconclusively yesterday after it failed to identify which side had fired the fatal bullet.

Another inquest into the killing of Wasu Suchantabut in 2013 while rallying against the Yingluck Shinawatra administration also came to a similar conclusion.

Hiroyuki was hit in the left side of his chest by a bullet from a high-velocity rifle on Din Sor Road in front of Satri Witthaya School near Democracy Monument on the evening of April 10, 2010. He was covering the protest and clashes between the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and security officers during the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration.

The bullet pierced and destroyed his lung and a main artery. He was pronounced dead at 9pm.

The bullet type could not be identified because it did not lodge in his body. Video records were also inadequate in providing evidence on the bullet's trajectory.

The second inquest result released yesterday said it was unclear who aimed a high-velocity rifle at Vasant Phuthong, a red-shirt protester, or which direction the bullet came from. He took the bullet in the left side of his head.

The third victim, Thodchai Maek-ngamfah, another red-shirt protester, was hit from behind by an unidentified bullet that penetrated his heart.

Jaetsada Chandee, the attorney for the three killed, said he would study the details of the inquest results first before recommending the next step.

In Muramoto's case, he will notify the Japanese Embassy and his family.

However, previous inquests had suggested that the two Thais were killed by security forces, he said.

UDD chairwomen Thida Thavornsaet Tojirakarn said from the courthouse that while she respects the result, it's apparent to many that the bullets came from the direction of the deployed soldiers.

The forensic investigation also showed that the 5mm bullets used in the attacks were the same as those used by soldiers and not the kind fired by AK assault rifles, which were allegedly used by the "men in black" who appeared on site that evening, she said.

The truth should not be lost. Transcending political conflicts requires making the truth known, she said.

In the other politics-related inquest, the Criminal Court ruled that that it was unclear who killed Wasu, who was a protester and guard for the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, an ally of the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

There was no witness to Wasu's shooting on May 26, 2013 at the Labour Ministry in Din Daeng district where the protest took place, the court said.

The forensic investigation showed that the Australia-educated Wasu was shot in his abdomen. He lost a lot of blood and was pronounced dead at the hospital on the following day.

Tipapa, Wasu's mother, said she accepted the inquest, even though it could not pinpoint the killer.

No compensation has been offered by any government agency for the loss of her son, but anyone providing clues leading to the arrest of his killer would be rewarded with Bt1 million, she said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Inquests-into-riot-shootings-fail-to-point-finger--30259131.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-02

[clockman]

Did we expect anybody to be responsible! Truth, integrity, rarely witnessed in Thailand.

[Suffinator]

And yet another murder that is successfully swept under the carpet.

Seriously did anyone ever think that the truth would come out and individuals arrested, tried and imprisoned.

Once again the world witnesses the true face of Thailand, it's corruption, ineptness and ultimately it's willingness to scupper any type of justice to protect certain individuals. Truly a despicable place.

[phantomfiddler]

In essence, the whole situation (and therefore all events caused by it) was brought about by the unbelievable behaviour of the redshirts. Far too much lenience was excercised allowing them to build a veritable fortress right in the centre of Bangkok, and in my honest opinion the total blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the man who paid for it all to happen. Luckily he is no longer in the country and hopefully his influence is on the wane.

[SaamBaht]

In essence, the whole situation (and therefore all events caused by it) was brought about by the unbelievable behaviour of the redshirts. Far too much lenience was excercised allowing them to build a veritable fortress right in the centre of Bangkok, and in my honest opinion the total blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the man who paid for it all to happen. Luckily he is no longer in the country and hopefully his influence is on the wane.

It is a shame that the Yellow shirts are allowed to wreak havoc and the reds are butchered. I'm sure agree with that.

[jackanapes]

how did they arrive at an inconclusive verdict the Japanese reporter was hit by a 5mm bullet used by the security forces absolutely unbelievable absolute shambles get real you people.

[Chao Lao Beach]

I am suprised hat anyone even thought there would be an answer.

[robblok]

UDD chairwomen Thida Thavornsaet Tojirakarn said from the courthouse that while she respects the result, it's apparent to many that the bullets came from the direction of the deployed soldiers.

The forensic investigation also showed that the 5mm bullets used in the attacks were the same as those used by soldiers and not the kind fired by AK assault rifles, which were allegedly used by the "men in black" who appeared on site that evening, she said.

Seen plenty of pictures of men in black here on thaivisa with m16's (looked like them) . To suggest that the men in black only used AK47 is a lie.. but what else is new when the reds speak.

Edited May 2, 2015 by robblok

[LivinLOS]

In essence, the whole situation (and therefore all events caused by it) was brought about by the unbelievable behaviour of the redshirts. Far too much lenience was excercised allowing them to build a veritable fortress right in the centre of Bangkok,

Yes because clearly they had nothing to fear, and no need for any fortress or defensive screening at all..

I assume you support the same lack of leniency for the airport blockades, government house blockade, storming of TV stations, ramming barricades of police in lifted 4x4 pickups, etc etc etc..

[stoffel45]

how did they arrive at an inconclusive verdict the Japanese reporter was hit by a 5mm bullet used by the security forces absolutely unbelievable absolute shambles get real you people.

Because, the Shin Goons used AK47s AND M16s and several other long guns.

I am sorry for the family of the Japanese reporter but not the red-shirts who brought their evil, guns, grenades and explosives to Bangkok.

Let us hope if there is a next time - the Army will give clear warning that any person carrying arms is a primary target.

[stoffel45]

In essence, the whole situation (and therefore all events caused by it) was brought about by the unbelievable behaviour of the redshirts. Far too much lenience was excercised allowing them to build a veritable fortress right in the centre of Bangkok,

Yes because clearly they had nothing to fear, and no need for any fortress or defensive screening at all..

I assume you support the same lack of leniency for the airport blockades, government house blockade, storming of TV stations, ramming barricades of police in lifted 4x4 pickups, etc etc etc..

In my opinion, the Law regarding demonstrations or political rallies is wrong.

There was a state of emergency.

The Shin goons brought the trouble and their guns and their own murderers to Bangkok.

If the Army had just shot half a dozen armed redshirts with a massive display of force - lives could have been saved.

Abhisit's problem was not being strong enough.

Yellow shirts in the airport.

Again - the Army should have moved in to clear them in force taking whatever action, including shooting any armed person - on day 1.

In a riot - where weapons of war are carried by the rioters, the people beside them are considered accessories. The soldiers should try to put down the armed ones after clear warnings are given - as they were.

[seajae]

if one of the reds was shot in the back how could it be the military? Maybe they have invented as bullet that can do a U turn in mid flight, that would certainly be the next red liner rather than admit he was shot by one of his own. Without any trace element either the bullet ar part there of trying to guess the caliber is a joke as it it the actual bullet types that denotes the damage it does, was it jacketed etc these are all part of it and the reds are simply trying to point the finger the other way. You have to remember it was a shin court that blamed the military on the ptp's say so with no ballistic evidence especially as they denied the men in black were even there, declaring all weapons as being military. The truth will not be brought forward till they get decent investigators involved something the reds simply dont want as it will implicate them a hell of a lot more

[rametindallas]

In essence, the whole situation (and therefore all events caused by it) was brought about by the unbelievable behaviour of the redshirts. Far too much lenience was excercised allowing them to build a veritable fortress right in the centre of Bangkok, and in my honest opinion the total blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the man who paid for it all to happen. Luckily he is no longer in the country and hopefully his influence is on the wane.

It is a shame that the Yellow shirts are allowed to wreak havoc and the reds are butchered. I'm sure agree with that.

I think you are confusing the word 'butcher' with 'slaughter'. Slaughter: to kill. Butcher: to cut up. I know of no newspaper accounts of Red Shirts being cut up into portions. Of course, the Red Shirt leaders were videotaped at a meeting laughing and applauding at reports that their sympathizers threw grenades that killed children; Red Shirt sympathizers also fired grenades near the Big C that killed children. Killing innocent children who were eating at a road-side restaurant or shopping with their parents is the Modus Operandi of Red Shirts. It seems Red Shirts only die when involved in violent protests to overthrow a democratically elected government. Why is that?

BTW, SaamBaht, you have been a member, supposedly, of this forum since April 2007 and yet you only have 331 posts. With the ferocity of your last post, it would seem you are very passionate in your cause. Why so few posts, then? When I see an old account all of a sudden get active, I suspect that someone is a TROLL. Are you a troll, SaamBaht? Your post is not thoughtful but, like Peace TV, is only trying it incite hatred of anti-Thaksin groups. Being a troll is no way to go through your life; you are only creating bad Karma for yourself.