DNA swabs - Thai Army's newest weapon in deep South

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS
DNA swabs - Army's newest weapon in deep South
REUTERS

Yala - The government has introduced a new strategy to curb the insurgency that has rumbled on in the jungle-blanketed deep South for more than a decade - DNA swabbing.

The Army has been widely panned for mishandling the economy and undermining democracy, but since seizing power last May, it has been successful in more than halving the number of attacks by Muslim-Malay rebels across the restive region.

The police chief put in charge of the southernmost provinces said DNA samples had now been taken from more than 40,000 people, making arrests and prosecutions easier.

Resistance to Buddhist rule in the South spilled over in 2004 and, since then, more than 6,500 people have died in violence, including shootings and bomb attacks. Successive governments have failed to quell the separatist trouble.

Last year, 37 people were charged in the province region, while in the first four months of this year the figure was 22.

While the military credits DNA collecting for the drop in violence, lawyers and activists say the sweeps are further alienating locals in the Muslim-dominated provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat that were annexed by Thailand a century ago.

Zawawee Pi, a 26-year-old community-radio member in Pattani, said he had been DNA-tested three times. On the fourth attempt, early this year, he refused.

Zaweewee, who has no criminal record, said a police officer came to his door asking for fingerprints and a saliva sample. When he refused, the officer threatened him with a gun. "They said they wanted evidence in case I did something wrong in the future. Why test for a crime I have yet to commit?"

Lawyer Abdul Aziz said DNA collections were fuelling distrust.

"DNA does not lie, a match is a match, but the problem is the collection process. What is their technique?" Abdul questioned.

Maj-General Anurut Kritsana-karaket, commander of the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Centre, denied his forces were being heavy-handed. He said DNA testing, which includes saliva swabs of suspected rebels and analysis of post-blast explosive residues, was not arbitrary.

Lack of trust

The military's heavy presence and perceived tough line has stoked resentment among many in the South.

Last month, a group of villagers were gathered at a house in a remote Pattani village when nine cars drove up, said Marongsee Tayee, 23, one of those present. Without warning, soldiers and police opened fire, killing four men.

A panel set up to probe the deaths found that none of those killed were connected to the insurgency. The military said the operation was intended to arrest insurgents, but later offered a rare apology. Manasye Wanu, whose brother died in the attack, said when soldiers came to apologise, his mother chased them out with a knife.

Marongsee and 21 others were detained for up to nine days. He was later released without charge.

Shintaro Hara, a professor at Prince of Songkla University in Pattani, said little had changed in the South. "We have stagnation. There is no will by authorities to offer long-lasting solutions."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/DNA-swabs--Armys-newest-weapon-in-deep-South-30259579.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-08

[NongKhaiKid]

Is the DNA being handled with the same care and protection of the chain of evidence as with the Koh Tau investigation ?

[BSJ]

If your not willing to give a DNA sample....what is it your trying to hide???

[NeverSure]

Oh, a person might be trying to hide from corrupt handlers of evidence.

[Strangebrew]

One would think give DNA and unsolved case now solved after switch is done. 55555

[Srikcir]

If your not willing to give a DNA sample....what is it your trying to hide???

Your dignity?

Section 4 of the Interim Charter "recognizes human dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the Thais."

Except if you're Malay-Thais.