Another fatal shooting of the innocent?

It's essential that an impartial inquiry establish the truth about the deaths in Pattani.

Published: 31/01/2012 at 03:32 PM
Online news: Opinion

It seems likely that at least some of the dead and injured on the pickup truck fired on by paramilitary rangers in Pattani on Sunday night are innocent people.

The fatal shooting at tambon Pulo Puyo in Nong Chik district of Pattani in which four Malay Muslims were killed and five others injured by paramilitary rangers is a tragedy. But it could happen anywhere there is an insurgency, or war, and innocent people are caught in the middle of the conflict, not just in the far South of Thailand.

What matters is that when innocent people are mistakenly killed or injured by the security forces, it is necessary that their commanders have the courage to come out and say sorry, or to apologise for a fatal mistake, and to provide proper compensation for the death or injuries.

At this time, there is still a confusion about what actually happened. There are two sides to the story – the military's version and the story told by the victims’ families and friends - and they are as conflicting as black and white.

In order for the truth to be told, a thorough investigation is needed and it should be undertaken not just by the military but with the participation of impartial organisations and the victims’ representatives.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

About the author

: Writer: Veera Prateepchaikul; Position: Former Editor

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Your comments

abbub
Post : 1,309
Send message

Discussion 2 : 01/02/2012 at 02:10 PM2
Post this to my Facebook
BULA D1: I do understand your hope for a peaceful resolution. But you ignore some of the essence of the problem.

1) These provinces were "gifts" that the British Empire gave to what was Thailand at the time, about 100 years ago.

2) The people of these provinces were never consulted and resisted the last hundred years, not just the last decade.

3) The history is not a common one with Thailand.

4) They are Muslim, not Buddhist.

5) They speak a Malay dialect, not Thai.

6) Many of them saw/see the arrival of Thai Buddhists as outsiders coming to take the best lands for themselves and as the outsiders there.

It is not as simple as you suggest. unfortunately.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bula
Post : 1,258
Send message

Discussion 1 : 31/01/2012 at 06:13 PM1
Post this to my Facebook
The people in the South should not be afraid of cooperating with the Government. They must speak in one voice and clearly state that they are Thai, the southern provinces belong to Thalaind and they respect the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand to the insurgent/separatists. The MPs of those provinces should listen to their grivances and present them to the Government even though they are on opposite camp.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

Another fatal shooting of the innocent? | Bangkok Post: opinion