Takbai, Car-bomb And Somchai Lawyer Cases Are Not Dismissed

[Jai Dee]

Takbai, Car-bomb and Somchai lawyer cases are not dismiss

The Royal Thai Air Force Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Chairman of the Council for the National Security (CNS), ACM Chalit Pookpasuk, will not dismiss the car bomb case, the case of deceased lawyer Somchai, as well as the Takbai case.

Moreover, ACM Chalit will speed up all involved institutes to resolve the aforementioned cases. He expects that all cases will be concluded within one to two weeks.

However, the CNS will not interfere with the works of all involved officers and will allow the officers resolve those cases according to the laws.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 October 2006

[farangsay]

I was fairly horrified to read that people who were arrested

(and survived) at Tak Bai are still in jail awaiting trial

because the police have not completed their investigation.

This is two years on isn't it.

Is this imprisonment without trial ?

[Jai Dee]

PM affirms the case of missing human rights lawyer is under investigation

The Prime Minister has affirmed that the case of the missing human rights lawyer is under investigation. He also urged the Justice Minister to watch the case closely to ensure fairness for all relevant parties.

Regarding the revival of the human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijhit (สมชาย นีละไพจิตร) case, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont revealed the case is under investigation but further details cannot be disclosed. Gen.Surayud cited Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjitha (ชาญชัย ลิขิตจิตถะ) as saying that he cannot say much about the case so as not to ruin the investigating process.

The Prime Minister also urged the Justice Minister to keep a close eye on this case to make sure that all parties are treated fairly.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

The disappearance of Mr. Somchai to be investigated again

The executive committee of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Mr. Sangsit Piriyarangsan (สังศิต พิริยะรังสรรค์), believes that the revival of investigation into the disappearance of president of the Muslim Lawyers Club, Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit (สมชาย นีละไพจิตร), will restore justice to the case.

He has informed that DSI Committee has been changed; therefore the cases that are in public interest will be brought for reinvestigation. At the same time, he said that people will be allowed to take part in the investigation.

He commented that it is good that the disappearance case of Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit will be examined again, adding that the investigation process has been improved as well.

He added that the new investigating process will consider the testimony of witnesses, and officials can bring in the testimony as the evidence. He said that the new process will help facilitate officials’ work.

Mr. Sangsit believed that influential people were behind the disappearance of Mr. Somchai.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Justice Ministry agrees to drop Tak Bai case

The Justice Ministry Wednesday agreed to drop charge of 58 suspects in Tak Bai protest as public prosecutors have no sufficient evident to prove their guilty, justice minister Charnchai Likitjitta said.

The decision was made after a meeting with officials at the Office of Attorney General and National Human Right Commission which responded to calls from the suspects and human right defenders.

"The decision is a part of effort to bring justice and reconciliation for people in the three southern border provinces," Charnchai told reporters.

The 58 suspects were charged of illegal gathering and public disturbance after a bloody protest in front of Tak Bai district police station on October 25, 2004. Crackdown to the protest killed 85 people all together including 78 died of suffocation during transportation from the protest site to Pattani. The Tak Bai incident raised international outrage over the brutal crackdown.

Source: The Nation - 2 November 2006