Officers transferred over Yala soldier beatings
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Officers transferred over Yala soldier beatings

A photo of Pvt Songtham Mudmad, 23, displayed at a Buddhist temple in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, for his funeral. (Photo by Nujaree Raekrun)
A photo of Pvt Songtham Mudmad, 23, displayed at a Buddhist temple in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, for his funeral. (Photo by Nujaree Raekrun)

Two commissioned officers from the 152nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion have been transferred following the beating of two privates in Yala, one of whom died of his injuries.

Army commander Gen Theerachai Nakwanich said on Thursday he had ordered the transfers of Lt Col Somkid Khongkhaeng, the battalion commander, and an unnamed sub-lieutenant from the same unit.

On Wednesday, one commissioned officer and five non-commissioned personnel were jailed for allegedly colluding to beat the rank-and-file soldiers at Payak Camp in Yala's Bannang Sata district April 1.

Pvt Songtham Mudmad, 23, was admitted to intensive care at Yala Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead April 4. Pvt Chatpisut Chumphan, 23, was admitted to Sirindhorn Military Hospital at Ingkhayuthaboriharn Military Camp in Pattani with serious injuries.

Sub-Lt Patthanat Lerchaikul was jailed for 30 days at the 15th Infantry Division in Pattani while the five non-commissioned officers were for 45 days confined at the 46th Army Circle in Pattani.

Gen Theerachai said the six would not be protected and would be subject to severe disciplinary and legal action.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said Gen Theerachai had set up a committee to investigate. If found guilty, the six would be punished according to the law.  At the same time, disciplinary action also would be taken against them.

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