Tak Bai families file Bt103m lawsuit

Published on October 26, 2005 - Charge government units with ‘careless conduct’ on anniversary of tragedy

Relatives of 75 of the 78 protesters who died of suffocation following the military crackdown in Tak Bai last year have filed lawsuits against six government agencies demanding Bt103 million in compensation.

The group’s lawyer filed the suit alleging careless conduct against the Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry, Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Police, the administrative department of the Interior Ministry and the Narathiwat Provincial Authority.

A total of 78 people who were arrested after taking part in a demonstration in front of Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat died of suffocation after being piled into trucks while being moved to a military camp in Pattani on October 25 last year.

Following strong criticism regarding the handling of the situation, the government reassigned top officials including former Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-General Pisarn Wattanawongkiri, one of his deputies and Chief Field Operation commander Maj-General Chalermchai Wiroonphet to inactive posts.

In March, the government allocated over Bt30 million to compensate the families of those who had died or were injured in the incident.

The protest last year was sparked by the arrest of six security volunteers who were accused of plotting to steal weapons provided by the government. Authorities accused insurgents of manipulating the protest in a bid to disrupt law and order. Nearly 60 people were arrested and charged with inciting the protest.

The Tak Bai incident caused international outrage due to the Thai government’s handling of the situation. The Organisation of Islamic Conference also issued a statement condemning the incident.

Some 600 people in Narathiwat yesterday gathered in front of the Tak Bai District Office to commemorate the first anniversary of the incident. Narathiwat Governor Pracha Therat presided over the event.

Wea-arsae Wae-umar, a member of the Narathiwat Provincial Islamic Committee led a prayer and urged Muslims to observe the teachings of Islam by living in peace with other religions.