Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday told officials to get tough in the hunt for the killers of two marines, saying he would take the blame for any mistakes.

“I instructed the officials to do what they should do. Don’t be afraid of anything, otherwise they would die like the two marines. All blame, if any, should come directly to me,” he told a weekly press conference.

Security forces yesterday mounted a door-to-door search in Narathiwat’s Ban Tanyonglimo, scene of the murders, interviewing villagers for possible clues that will lead to the killers being apprehended.

The marines were beaten to death during a dramatic hostage drama at the village on Wednesday.

Tanyonglimo villagers took the marines hostage on Tuesday night after a shooting at the village teashop killed two people and injured four.

The two marines, Sub-Lieutenant Winai Nagabutr and Petty Officer Kamthorn Thong-iad, were brutally killed in the early hours of Wednesday, Thaksin said.

However, an autopsy done by forensic expert Dr Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand indicated they died between 2-3pm on Wednesday as officials were trying to secure their release.

Officials trying to free the marines did not take the necessary measures to save the men because they delayed negotiations for fear they could be faced with another Tak Bai, Thaksin said. Eighty-five Muslims died after a protest was broken up in Tak Bai last October.

The prime minister urged critics of the government’s deep-South polices not to cite the fact that mistrust of officials by residents of the region led to the unsuccessful attempt to free the marines, saying such criticism discouraged officials who were working hard to contain the violence in the area.

Thaksin said he would command the manhunt for the killers of the marines under a legal framework and would not allow revenge to be meted out against Tanyonglimo villagers.

He did not state clearly if he would enforce more tough measures in accordance with the emergency decree that allows officials to have a relatively free hand in operations.

Officials have reportedly detained four suspected village vigilantes over the murder of the marines. The whereabouts of the suspects was unclear as of late yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minster Chidchai Vanasatidya, who flew to the deep South yesterday, said authorities had not detained anybody over the deaths, but would issue arrest warrants soon.

Officials had received good cooperation and useful tips from local residents that could lead to the arrest of the culprits, he said.

A senior Narathiwat official said some 10 militants were involved in the killings.

However, Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said three suspects in the killings had links with drug-trafficking gangs who worked along the Malaysian border.

They are not linked with Islamic separatists who have been active in the region, he said.

She said the Princess told her she would grant funding for her education and provide her with a home.

“The Princess’ good heart uplifted my spirits and relieved my sorrow. My mother felt better both physically and emotionally,” she said.

“I understand what has happened. I believe all the goodness that my father did will still be in our society forever, and he is always on my mind,” she said proudly, adding that she strongly believed her father’s murderers would be brought to justice.

Apasiri said she would never do anything to sadden her mother, Pranorm, to whom her father gave all his love, and would closely watch after her.

Unlike Winai’s daughter, his 89-year-old mother, Nart, who lives in Ayutthaya, could not attend her son’s funeral.

“I wanted to see his face for one last time, but it was too far for me to travel to. The last time I saw him was three months ago,” she said sadly, adding that the government should send her son’s body to Ayutthaya or send a vehicle to take her to Narathiwat.

She said Winai had intended to return to his hometown in Ayutthaya, as he had bought a plot of land and built a small house on it.

“He told me that if Apasiri completed her undergraduate degree and found a job, he would retire and move the family here to his hometown.

“He wanted to spend the rest of his life as a farmer here. He also wanted to become monk for a while,” she said.

Laddawan Thong-iad, 32, the widow of the other marine killed, Petty Officer Kamthorn, is four months pregnant and has a three-year-old daughter.

She said she felt grief and could not believe the cruelty shown to her husband.

“My husband had worked in Rangae district for more than 10 years and had done a lot for the local villagers. He used to drive children in Chulabhorn Pattana village to school every day and built and painted the village’s mosque,” she said.

“He wished we had a son but I never thought he would leave me before he could see our baby,” she said, adding she did not know how she would live without her husband.

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HRH presides over bathing ceremony

Published on September 23, 2005 - Representing Their Majesties the King and Queen, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday presided over the bathing rites for the two marines who were brutally murdered in a hostage situation in Narathiwat’s Ban Tanyonglimo on Wednesday. In the highest honour for those killed in action, the Princess poured anointed water over the corpses of Sub-Lieutenant Winai Nagabutr and Petty Officer Kamthorn Thong-iad at Wat Kokkian in Narathiwat.

The funerals for Winai and Kamthorn will be held in their respective hometowns. The body of Winai will be transported back to Wat Laemsai in Songkhla’s Muang district, while Kamthorn’s funeral will be performed at Wat Prong-ngu in Songkhla’s Chana district.

The Navy expressed its deepest condolences to the two marines’ families, saying they pair had died in the line of duty.

“The two could have prevented themselves from being taken hostage by the villagers, but they surrendered because they knew they were innocent,” said a Navy statement.

In posthumous recognition of their services, Winai will be elevated to the rank of captain and Kamthorn to lieutenant commander.

The Navy has promised to pay Bt3.3 million in compensation and a pension of Bt21,900 a month to Winai’s family. Kamthorn’s family will receive Bt1.7 million in compensation and a monthly pension of Bt10,400.

The Public Health Ministry pledged to look after Kamthorn’s pregnant wife, Laddawan, who is a temporary employee at Rangae Hospital and promised to take care of her three-year-old daughter.

Laddawan is expected to secure a permanent position at the hospital and will receive a relief payment of Bt70,000. The hospital has granted her leave to arrange her husband’s funeral.

Meanwhile, Thai Life Insurance Co Ltd president Chai Chaiyawan said yesterday that under a group life-insurance agreement with the Navy, his company would pay additional compensation of Bt1 million to Winai’s family and Bt500,000 to Kamthorn’s.