Security officials are on full alert today in three southernmost provinces, and in some districts of Songkhla, ahead of an anticipated increase in violence by southern insurgents, as the statute of limitations on the Tak Bai massacre case is due to expire at midnight.
In Tak Bai district of Narathiwat, where the massacre took place 20 years ago today, road blocks were set up, as police carefully checked the ID cards and vehicle documentation of all motorists and motorcyclists to make sure that the vehicles were not reported stolen.
Foot patrols by security officials have also been stepped up in crowded places, to look for suspicious objects which could be improvised explosive devices (IED). Members of the public have also been advised to alert the authorities if they came across suspicious objects.
In Betong district of Yala province, cars and individuals entering the district township are being carefully checked. Security at the border crossing with Malaysia has also been stepped up.
Yesterday, in a desperate attempt to bring those responsible for the massacre to stand trial before the statute of limitations expires, police checked four locations in Ranong, Trang, Hat Yai and Mueang districts of Songkhla searching for any of the Tak Bai defendants who might be hiding there.
United Nations human rights experts said yesterday that they are deeply troubled that the imminent expiration of the Tak Bai massacre case will end ongoing attempts to hold those responsible to account.
“We welcome the fact that two criminal cases are finally proceeding into the incident, with arrest warrants issued against relevant current and former officials. We are extremely alarmed, however, that, without further action, these will end prematurely when the statute of limitations expires on October 25th, 2024,” said the experts.
They also said that the failure to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice is itself a violation of Thailand’s human rights obligations, adding that international law also prohibits statutes of limitations for torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Seventy-eight Muslim protesters died of suffocation after they were forced to lie on top of each other, in several layers, on trucks for the five-hour journey from Tak Bai district to a military barracks in Pattani province. Another seven protesters were shot dead during the protest in front of Tak Bai police station on October 25, 2004.
