The legal case concerning the Tak Bai incident, which occurred twenty years ago, is set to expire on October 25. The Prime Minister has expressed her deep sorrow over this situation and has pledged to provide better support for those affected.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has voiced her regret regarding the legal proceedings tied to the Tak Bai incident, as the statute of limitations runs out today after two decades.
This case pertains to an event that took place in 2004 at the Krue Se mosque in the Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province, located in southern Thailand. The incident led to numerous fatalities and raised serious questions about the conduct of government and security officials at that time.
Regrettably, this high-profile case cannot move forward within the legal time frame, as officials have been unable to apprehend and prosecute the key suspects.
The Prime Minister indicated that the government had sought advice from the Office of the Council of State regarding a potential extension of the statute of limitations. However, this request was denied, as the council deemed the case ineligible for an extension.
In light of these developments, the Prime Minister assured the public that the government would take every possible measure to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. She also mentioned that efforts would be made to provide additional compensation and support to those affected, within the boundaries of the law.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that he has instructed relevant agencies to remain vigilant in the three southern border provinces, especially in light of recent local incidents and the expiration of the Tak Bai case.
He emphasized that the government has not been lax in its attempts to apprehend the suspects, stressing that officials have been searching for these individuals in various locations.
The Defence Minister also noted that the government has allocated approximately 600 million baht for compensation, clarifying that this amount is not meant to equate to the value of lives lost but rather to reflect the government’s commitment to supporting those affected.
Lt. Gen. Paisal Nusang, Commander of the 4th Army Area, expressed concerns about potential insurgent threats posed by malicious actors. The army is calling on local leaders to remain watchful against such incidents as security agencies strive to maintain order in the region, and may consider increasing the alert level if necessary.
Source: NNT
Photo credit: K.Phothiwijit, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
