AI calls for justice from Thai government, 10 years after deadly crackdown

[webfact]

AI calls for justice from Thai government, 10 years after deadly crackdown

By The Nation

 

Jatuporn Promphan, head of the red-shirt movement, leads some red-shirt members to make merit at Wat Nuan Chan in Bangkok's Bueng Kum district on Tuesday (May 19). The ceremony was held to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown on red-shirt protesters at the orders of the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

 

Amnesty International has called on the Thai government to bring to justice those suspected of crimes committed during the red-shirt protests, on the 10th anniversary of the deadly crackdown.  

 

“While protest leaders and demonstrators have faced criminal prosecutions, no justice, truth or reparation has been served to families of those killed during the violence,” the rights group noted.  

 

May 19, 2010, saw Thai authorities launch their final military operation to disperse thousands of protesters during months-long demonstrations in Bangkok. The clearance operation followed five weeks of often violent confrontations that claimed 94 lives, while at least 1,283 individuals sustained injuries, Amnesty International (AI) pointed out. 

 

Protesters, journalists, bystanders, volunteers, police officers and military personnel were among those killed, but the cause of death is still unknown for some victims. 

 

“On the 10th anniversary of the last day of the violent crackdowns, Amnesty International calls on the Thai authorities to immediately bring all those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice in fair trials before civilian courts, and provide effective remedies for families of those who were killed,” AI said in a statement.

 

The protests began on March 12 when the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) mobilised several protests in and around Bangkok and called on supporters from provinces throughout Thailand to immediately join them.

 

Two days later, the UDD demanded that then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve parliament and hold a general election. AI notes that when measures by the government’s Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation – headed by then deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban and General Prawit Wongsuwan, who is currently deputy PM – had failed, Army troops equipped with live ammunition were deployed to disband the demonstrators.

 

During these operations that commenced on April 10, the military used unnecessary and excessive force and unlawfully killed protesters, including three children and two unarmed medics wearing medical uniforms with a red cross, said AI.

 

Army troops reportedly also fired live ammunition at and above the crowds in the “live fire zones” adjacent to the protest sites. Demonstrators also reportedly used firearms to attack political opponents and security forces, and were accused by the authorities of arson and vandalism, noted the rights group. 

 

Following the violence, the government announced on May 21, 2010 that “an independent investigation of all the events that have taken place during the protests” would be carried out “in a transparent manner”.

 

AI points out that, to date, none of the government officials, Army commanders or military personnel involved in the operations has been prosecuted, despite the Department of Special Investigation’s effort to file murder charges against ex-PM Abhisit and his deputy Suthep with the Prosecutor’s Office based on a court-confirmed death by military ammunition.

 

The victims also filed a malfeasance case against Abhisit, Suthep, General Anupong Paochinda, then Army Commander who currently serves as Interior minister, and others to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, but the case was dismissed in 2015. Five police officers who were involved in filing were sentenced to four years imprisonment, then reduced to two, by the Court of Appeal for malfeasance.

 

Some protest leaders were acquitted of “terrorism-related” offences by the Criminal Court in August 2019, but have faced serious criminal and civil charges in at least five other cases, one of which resulted in a fine of more than Bt20 million. 

 

“When human rights violations and abuses are committed, all those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials before civilian courts. If state officials are found guilty of human rights violations, purely disciplinary or administrative remedies are inadequate and not in accordance with international law,” AI said.

 

It adds that since 2010, families and friends of the victims have consistently called for justice, but in response, some have faced intimidation by government authorities. 

 

“Phayaw Akkahad, mother of a volunteer nurse Kamonkade Akkahad, who was shot dead at Bangkok’s Pathum Wanaram temple, filed murder charges against military personnel with the Department of Special Investigation in 2010.

 

In May 2019, she learned that the military prosecutor issued a non-indictment decision on the case. In July 2019 Phayaw was fined for failure to notify authorities of the protest under the Public Assembly Act after she had campaigned for justice for her daughter.

 

“Most recently, on May 11, 2020, Special Branch police made several phone calls at night questioning her about plans for the anniversary of her daughter’s death. Under international law and standards, remedies must be provided by an independent and impartial court of law, ‘especially when violation of the right to life is alleged’.” 

 

The rights group notes that a key witness to nurse Kamonkade’s death – Nathathida ‘Waen’ Meewangpla – faces “terrorism-related” charges in relation to a grenade attack on Ratchada Criminal Court.

 

To mark its 10th anniversary and demand justice for the crackdown, activists have projected laser-messages “Searching for the Truth” and “Killing Fields in Central Bangkok” on sites related to the crackdown, including Pathum Wanaram temple, the Defence Ministry, the Democracy Monument, CentralWorld mall, and Ratchaprasong intersection. In response, the Defence Ministry labelled the act “politically motivated” and threatened to take legal action against the Progressive Movement, which carried out the campaign.

 

On the night of May 13, 2020, red shirts gathered at the entrance of Bangkok’s Lumpini Park in memory of Major General Khattiya Sawatdiphon, known as “Seh Daeng”, a military adviser to the protesters who was killed by a sniper’s bullet while giving a press interview during the 2010 protests.

 

After the crowd dispersed, police arrested Anurak “Ford” Jeantawanich, a well-known political activist who had organised the event, and accused him of violating the prohibition of gatherings set under the Emergency Decree and subsequent regulations issued in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Anurak faces two years in prison and a fine of Bt40,000 in addition to a number of pending criminal charges against him as a result of his previous activism. 

 

Amnesty International has previously called on the Thai authorities to ensure that emergency powers to address Covid-19 are not used arbitrarily to restrict human rights.

 

The lack of justice, truth and reparation from the government for those killed and injured during the 2010 protests highlights the continued impunity for human rights violations, as well as the government’s disregard of international law and standards on crowd dispersal and the use of force, said AI. The authorities’ failure to address these violations creates a climate of fear among the public and allows room for future violations and abuses to go unpunished, it added.

 

“The Thai authorities must immediately prosecute any current and former officials and individuals suspected of criminal responsibility, including those with command responsibility, with the guarantee of the right to a fair trial. Full reparation must be effectively provided for relatives of the victims and survivors in accordance with international law and standards.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388141

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-05-20

 

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[Samui Bodoh]

Whether or not you agreed/supported the Red Shirts or the government of that time, it does not matter.

 

When a country has a hundred dead and thousands injured on the streets of its capital city with no accepted reason, outcome, responsibility or means of closure, it becomes a festering, infected wound that will never properly heal.

 

Thailand is a dis-united society, and will continue to be so until there is a serious, effective process of reconciliation about the past, and a means of selecting an accepted governing paradigm for the future; those conditions do not exist at present.

 

A society divided against itself cannot succeed, and a society that cannot face the past will not succeed in the future. Put another way, the 'past is a prologue to the present', and without dealing with the underlying causes of the last protests, it is inevitable that the next round of protests will come.

 

I would like to see Thailand do well in the future, but in order to do so, it must clean up its past.

 

Sadly, I don't see any efforts being made to accomplish that.

 

 

 

Edited May 19, 2020 by Samui Bodoh
lack of coffee

[smedly]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

When a country has a hundred dead and thousands injured on the streets of its capital city with no accepted reason

when police and army personnel are there to enforce the law and are shot at they shoot back - what else are they going to do. not taking sides just stating the reality of the situation

[DrTuner]

Only thing that will reconcile that clash is a new and bigger one.

[DirtyHarry55]

Quote

"The rights group notes that a key witness to nurse Kamonkade’s death – Nathathida ‘Waen’ Meewangpla – faces “terrorism-related” charges in relation to a grenade attack on Ratchada Criminal Court."

Actually I believe they didn't have enough evidence to make terrorism stick so changed the charge to something else where bail is never granted

she's been in prison 10 years without being found guilty just because she was a witnesses.

 

[BobbyL]

Pretty sure we can all guess where the order of 'shoot to kill' came from. 

 

One of the government responses last week to the lighting protests was to just check the court records and that justice has been served. I guess AI will find it hard to make anything change here when the establishment at the top controls all. 

[DirtyHarry55]

It needs to be remembered that it can't happen again but of course it will as the power struggle continues.
I see Abhisit is already threatening legal action against his critics in his words.

“And unfortunately, some people died.” — Abhisit Vejjajiva
 

 

 

[phantomfiddler]

Just about all the criminal incidents of violence and damage to property were initiated and carried out by the redshirt thugs hired and controlled by Thaksin. The government had no option other than to respond to such acts, and in my opinion acted with a lot more restraint than was deserved.

[nahkit]

5 hours ago, smedly said:

when police and army personnel are there to enforce the law and are shot at they shoot back - what else are they going to do. not taking sides just stating the reality of the situation

So you have proof that the nurse that was shot dead at the temple was in fact shooting at the police and army personnel do you?

[sjaak327]

2 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

Just about all the criminal incidents of violence and damage to property were initiated and carried out by the redshirt thugs hired and controlled by Thaksin. The government had no option other than to respond to such acts, and in my opinion acted with a lot more restraint than was deserved.

Actually most of that happend AFTER the government decided to use live ammunition. There was no ground, I repeat no ground to use the army, that is a decision that would never have been taken in a civilized society. Abhisit and Suthep should be held accountable, but never will. Welcome to Thailand, where people like you are being told that one side is Thugs and the other side are good guys, while in reality the red side might be thugs but have at least democracy on their side, the other side are thugs as well, but now with little public support, but effectively above the law. AI is right, and has done a much better job of understanding what really happened then you...

[Purdey]

Not sure anyone should expect justice. TIT. 

[rasmus5150]

When you use your kids as human shields and receive 200-500Thb pr. day to demonstrate and create unrest, then I would say you are as bad as ISIS.

And when you don't follow the law and directions of the army during military curfew, and also fire live ammo at them, you should understand that is has consequences.

And yes, there were innocent civilians caught in the cross-fire, but we will never know who fired...

 

 

[DirtyHarry55]

4 minutes ago, rasmus5150 said:

When you use your kids as human shields and receive 200-500Thb pr. day to demonstrate and create unrest, then I would say you are as bad as ISIS.

And when you don't follow the law and directions of the army during military curfew, and also fire live ammo at them, you should understand that is has consequences.

And yes, there were innocent civilians caught in the cross-fire, but we will never know who fired...

 

 

Do you see a gun in that mans hands?
If not why would you suggest he was using the child as a human shield?
Didn't the government say they were only shooting armed black shirts in self defense?

[DirtyHarry55]

3 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

Just about all the criminal incidents of violence and damage to property were initiated and carried out by the redshirt thugs hired and controlled by Thaksin. The government had no option other than to respond to such acts, and in my opinion acted with a lot more restraint than was deserved.

A lot more restraint than was deserved 100's dead and thousands injured by live round.
Maybe you would have had them drop bombs on them?

 

[DirtyHarry55]

 

[smedly]

2 hours ago, nahkit said:

So you have proof that the nurse that was shot dead at the temple was in fact shooting at the police and army personnel do you?

she was in a live fire zone - the sensible thing that most people would do is get as far away as possible unless of course you are stupid enough to put yourself in that sort of danger 

[DirtyHarry55]

8 hours ago, smedly said:

when police and army personnel are there to enforce the law and are shot at they shoot back - what else are they going to do. not taking sides just stating the reality of the situation

The military started shooting first and why were most of those killed unarmed civilians, journalists and even children then?

Edited May 20, 2020 by DirtyHarry55

[smedly]

5 minutes ago, DirtyHarry55 said:

The military started shooting first and why were most of those killed unarmed civilians, journalists and even children then?

you have no proof of that 

 

Like I said already - any sensible person would remove themselves from the area - as for journalists, they know the risks and have a choice whether or not to take them

 

Same for children - why on earth would a reasonable parent take their kids into a danger zone like that - are you serious 

 

The only people that had no choice in the matter where those there to enforce the law - it is their job

[DirtyHarry55]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

you have no proof of that 

 

Like I said already - any sensible person would remove themselves from the area - as for journalists, they know the risks and have a choice whether or not to take them

 

Same for children - why on earth would a reasonable parent take their kids into a danger zone like that - are you serious 

 

The only people that had no choice in the matter where those there to enforce the law - it is their job

Oh yes I forgot the Life Fire Zone in the middle of a city where many people resided.
Still it begs the question why were they killed when the government claimed they were only firing in self defense did the reporter have a weapon?

Edited May 20, 2020 by DirtyHarry55

[rasmus5150]

1 hour ago, DirtyHarry55 said:

Oh yes I forgot the Life Fire Zone in the middle of a city where many people resided.
Still it begs the question why were they killed when the government claimed they were only firing in self defense did the reporter have a weapon?

All the people residing in the area was in their residences. Only people on the streets were driven in by the truckloads, had to deposit their ID and then they can pickup their daily "allowance"...

[pedro01]

14 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Whether or not you agreed/supported the Red Shirts or the government of that time, it does not matter.

 

When a country has a hundred dead and thousands injured on the streets of its capital city with no accepted reason, outcome, responsibility or means of closure, it becomes a festering, infected wound that will never properly heal.

 

Thailand is a dis-united society, and will continue to be so until there is a serious, effective process of reconciliation about the past, and a means of selecting an accepted governing paradigm for the future; those conditions do not exist at present.

 

A society divided against itself cannot succeed, and a society that cannot face the past will not succeed in the future. Put another way, the 'past is a prologue to the present', and without dealing with the underlying causes of the last protests, it is inevitable that the next round of protests will come.

 

I would like to see Thailand do well in the future, but in order to do so, it must clean up its past.

 

Sadly, I don't see any efforts being made to accomplish that.

 

 

 

 

Moving them out was completely justified.

 

They could have left any time. They were causing untold issues - including starting a gunfight in Khao San Rd - after coaxing the authorities there and launching a grenade attack. They'd barricaded areas of Bangkok and had armed guards frisking regular citizens simply trying to get from one place to another.

 

They had effectively kidnapped a bunch of 'protestors' with promises of a daily stipend (which was never paid) - these people handed over their ids when they got there and were not allowed to leave.

 

Way before the protest was put to an end - there were images on TV of hundreds of gas bottles in shopping malls - the threat being that if the protest was broken up - the fires would start.

 

And that they did. When the army came in - the fires started in shopping malls, cinema, big c - they even tried to torch an office building with people inside it.

 

My wife got caught up with a grenade attack on a Bank as far out as On Nut. These guys had to be closed down. Many decided to stay and fight. They got shot. Totally their fault. 

[pedro01]

5 hours ago, sjaak327 said:

Actually most of that happend AFTER the government decided to use live ammunition. There was no ground, I repeat no ground to use the army, that is a decision that would never have been taken in a civilized society. Abhisit and Suthep should be held accountable, but never will. Welcome to Thailand, where people like you are being told that one side is Thugs and the other side are good guys, while in reality the red side might be thugs but have at least democracy on their side, the other side are thugs as well, but now with little public support, but effectively above the law. AI is right, and has done a much better job of understanding what really happened then you...

 

You obviously weren't there.

 

Do you not recall 3 grenades hitting Silom at rush hour? The first 2 were basically finding range and the 3rd hit the BTS. These are deadly weapons.

 

I remember walking to the MRT station and started to hear bangs - I looked up and 5 soldiers were at the front of the station shouting at me and the few other people to run to them. Someone was taking shots from the other side of Rama IV road. You know - gun shots from the Red Shirts into the street where innocent civilians were walking.

 

There was PLENTY of justification.

[sweatalot]

1 hour ago, DirtyHarry55 said:

Life Fire Zone in the middle of a city where many people resided.

Life Fire Zone in the middle which has been occupied by violent thugs who made it their own territory. Taken by force and defensed by force. Only mistake the government made was not to intervene much earlier. And by the way - does anybody believe the protesters fought for democracy, humanism, equality, justice or even knew what thjose words mean?

It was the duty of the government to end this situation, caused by a group that planned to set Thailand on fire?

The "protesters" did not go away when the government asked and demanded. Government had no choice to threaten with force 

[DirtyHarry55]

40 minutes ago, sweatalot said:

Life Fire Zone in the middle which has been occupied by violent thugs who made it their own territory. Taken by force and defensed by force. Only mistake the government made was not to intervene much earlier. And by the way - does anybody believe the protesters fought for democracy, humanism, equality, justice or even knew what thjose words mean?

It was the duty of the government to end this situation, caused by a group that planned to set Thailand on fire?

The "protesters" did not go away when the government asked and demanded. Government had no choice to threaten with force 

You do know there only demand was to have elections so yes they new the meaning of democracy.

Of course the Government wouldn't hold elections because they new they would lose.

[DirtyHarry55]

59 minutes ago, pedro01 said:

 

Moving them out was completely justified.

 

They could have left any time. They were causing untold issues - including starting a gunfight in Khao San Rd - after coaxing the authorities there and launching a grenade attack. They'd barricaded areas of Bangkok and had armed guards frisking regular citizens simply trying to get from one place to another.

 

They had effectively kidnapped a bunch of 'protestors' with promises of a daily stipend (which was never paid) - these people handed over their ids when they got there and were not allowed to leave.

 

Way before the protest was put to an end - there were images on TV of hundreds of gas bottles in shopping malls - the threat being that if the protest was broken up - the fires would start.

 

And that they did. When the army came in - the fires started in shopping malls, cinema, big c - they even tried to torch an office building with people inside it.

 

My wife got caught up with a grenade attack on a Bank as far out as On Nut. These guys had to be closed down. Many decided to stay and fight. They got shot. Totally their fault. 

There can never be justification for a government and military killing its own unarmed civilians with automatic weapons.

 

 

Edited May 20, 2020 by DirtyHarry55

[DirtyHarry55]

1 hour ago, rasmus5150 said:

All the people residing in the area was in their residences. Only people on the streets were driven in by the truckloads, had to deposit their ID and then they can pickup their daily "allowance"...

I knew people who went they didn't get paid or have to deposit their id's that just propaganda bs to justify killing.

[smedly]

12 hours ago, DirtyHarry55 said:

Oh yes I forgot the Life Fire Zone in the middle of a city where many people resided.
Still it begs the question why were they killed when the government claimed they were only firing in self defense did the reporter have a weapon?

yes, a rather stupid place to bring your stolen M16 and start firing at the police and army - sure why not bring the wife and kids along - I hope the kids aren't scared of loud noises 

 

sounds like fun doesn't it

[nahkit]

21 hours ago, smedly said:

23 hours ago, nahkit said:

So you have proof that the nurse that was shot dead at the temple was in fact shooting at the police and army personnel do you?

she was in a live fire zone - the sensible thing that most people would do is get as far away as possible unless of course you are stupid enough to put yourself in that sort of danger 

No, she was in an area that became a live fire zone and was treating an injured person at the time she was shot. Do you think that once the army started shooting that people were then given the chance to leave without running the risk of being shot?

 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2020 by nahkit
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