Lonely voices still seeking justice

Lonely voices still seeking justice

Two people from opposite sides of the colour-coded political divide who each lost a loved one in the May 2010 political violence in Bangkok ironically share a common view in opposing the reconciliation plan now being pushed by Pheu Thai Party and fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Natthapat Akhad is odd man out among the supporters of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, because he does not believe that national reconciliation can be achieved without first ensuring justice for the victims of the May 2010 political violence.

Red-shirt protesters standing on an elevated walkway on Feb 28 last year wave to their comrades who gather at Pathum Wanaram temple to join a religious ceremony for people killed in the May 2010 anti-government protests. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

The young man lost his elder sister, Kamolkate, the volunteer nurse who was shot dead along with five other people, allegedly by army snipers, at Wat Pathum Wanaram on May 19, 2010. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) concluded that the six victims might have been killed by members of the state security forces during the crackdown on red-shirt protesters, but did not specify which army unit was responsible. The Criminal Court has scheduled June 18 for the opening of an inquest into the case.

In his address to his red-shirt supporters on April 15 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, ousted premier Thaksin said, without being specific, that some red-shirts might have to make sacrifices for the sake of reconciliation.

Of course, Thaksin badly needs reconciliation -- not just for all the offenders in the political violence since 2005, who include red-shirt and yellow-shirt protesters, members of the security forces and civilians -- but also, most importantly, for himself so he can return home a free man and with a show of dignity.

But Mr Natthapat sees it a different way, and he has a valid point in challenging Thaksin’s plea for sacrifice. The embittered young man strongly feels that his family has already made a huge sacrifice in the loss of his sister. He believes true reconciliation is possible only when justice is served and those responsible are held accountable.

Mr Natthapat’s opinion is shared by Nicha Thuwattham, the widow of Col Romklao Thuwattham who was shot dead by a gunman hiding among the red-shirt protesters at Kok Wua intersection, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, on May 10, 2010.

For almost two years, Mrs Nicha has been fighting almost singlehandedly for justice for her husband, hoping that the culprits will be brought to trial. She came a little closer to success when the DSI concluded that Colonel Romklao was killed by a shooter in the red-shirts crowd and some suspects were arrested.

But with the Yingluck Shinawatra government riding the reconciliation bandwagon, things began to change. Mrs Nicha was informed by the Justice Ministry in a terse two-line letter that the DSI was unable to identify those actually responsible for her husband’s death. Also, all the suspects were granted bail.

Both Mr Natthapat and Mrs Nicha are bitter with the way the cases involving their loved ones are being treated by the government. They have voiced their grievances but their faint voices are drowned out by the reconciliation tune which is now being played out in full chorus. Theirs are not the voices that Thaksin and his faithful supporters want to hear.

Sacrifice? It seems that is what ordinary people are supposed to do, but the big shots clearly don’t have to, and don’t intend to. That is the reality of the world of politics, where vested interests count and small people are merely expendable pawns.

Veera Prateepchaikul

Former Editor

Former Bangkok Post Editor, political commentator and a regular columnist at Post Publishing.

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