Red-shirt core leader Nattawut Saikua turned up at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Friday to demand justice for victims of the deadly 2010 crackdown on protesters in 2010.
The clashes between the military and supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in 2010 left 91 dead in capital, with scores more seriously injured. They were demanding the resignation of the then-government of Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The NACC under the old commissioners had previously rejected the case, requiring the UDD to take the matter to the Department of Special Investigation, which later took the case to the Criminal Court.
The court dismissed the case in August 2014, and the ruling was upheld by the Appeal and Supreme courts. The Supreme Court found the DSI had no authority to investigate and file charges against Mr Abhisit and his then deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversaw the crackdown. The court said it was the jurisdiction of the NACC.
Since then Mr Nattawut has repeatedly called on the anti-graft agency to revive the case for consideration.
Mr Nattawut, in company with relatives of the crackdown victims and their lawyer, Chokchai Ang-kaew, on Friday submitted a new letter demanding justice to the NACC officials. The petitioners also requested the NACC disclose its inquiry report that led to the dismissal of the case against the two Democrat leaders.
He said the UDD has no intention of confronting the NACC or those in power, but this case involved the largest number of deaths ever in Thailand’s political fights.
He wanted to see the NACC’s investigation report to find out why the agency decided to dismiss the case. The UDD would then gather more evidence to pursue the case further.
“The NACC dismissed the case of the 2010 dispersal and there the case ended. We cannot accept this,” said Mr Nattawut. “We want the matter of the injuries and deaths to reach the court.”
If the graft watchdog did not release it case inquiry report, the UDD would exercise its right under the Official Information Act, he said.
After the petition had a 15-minute talk with Jakrit Tanlert, chief of the NACC’s Bureau of Political Sector Corruption Inquiry 1, Mr Nattawut said it was confirmed the UDD's would be given to the NACC meeting next week.