This past Tuesday was the 16^th anniversary of the 19 May 2010 crackdown on the Red Shirt protests, during which the military deployed armoured vehicles and soldiers armed with live rounds against protesters who had been staging demonstrations in Bangkok for over 2 months demanding dissolution of the House of Representatives. 

The crackdown was the second of two military operations against Red Shirt protesters in Bangkok.  The first was on 10 April 2010. 

Between 10 April – 19 May 2010, 94 people were killed during the operations and over a thousand were injured. Among the dead were civilians, volunteer medics, and journalists. Despite court rulings in several inquests that the victims were killed by military fire, no officer has ever been prosecuted. 

Several gatherings attended by former Red Shirt activists, families of victims, and politicians took place last Tuesday (19 May) to mark the anniversary. With 4 years to go before a statute of limitations precludes the possibility of criminal charges being brought, the push for justice continues.

Former Red Shirt leader calls for anti-corruption law amendments

On Tuesday morning (19 May), a group of former Red Shirts and family members of crackdown victims met at the Rattanakosin Hotel to mark the 16^th anniversary of the 19 May 2010 crackdown with a Buddhist ceremony.

Former Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikua said that, to ensure that perpetrators of the crackdown are brought to justice, he is pushing for amendments to the Organic Act on Countering Corruption so that there would be a way bringing lawsuits against those involved in the crackdown.

He noted that an attempt was previously made to prosecute Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban, then Prime Minister and head of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) respectively, during Yingluck Shinawatra’s term as Prime Minister, but the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Position. According to Nattawut, because of the Supreme Court, going through the Criminal Court is no longer possible. 

The Pheu Thai Party proposed amendments to the Organic Act, but progress has been slow. It was obliged to revise the proposal after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) disagreed it. A modified bill was then put out for public consultation and was scheduled for parliamentary debate but the House was dissolved before it could be considered. The bill was not taken up again by the new Cabinet and the process must now start over.

With the statute of limitations set to expire in 4 years, Nattawut said he will continue to push for justice. He supports amending the Military Court Act, but notes that perpetrators must be identified in murder trials and adds that it is difficult to identify the individual soldiers who shot each protester. He nonetheless feels that all efforts to bring justice are good and still has hope for success.
 

Victims’ families, politicians meet at temple for merit-making

Families of those killed in the April-May 2010 military crackdowns on Red Shirt protests marked the 16^th anniversary of the 19 May 2010 crackdown on Tuesday (19 May) with a Buddhist ceremony at Pathum Wanaram Temple.

Phayao Akhad, whose daughter Kamonked was one of the six people killed at Pathum Wanaram Temple on 19 May 2010, held a merit-making ceremony at the temple in memory of the crackdown victims on Tuesday afternoon. She was joined by families of victims as well as Jatuporn Prompan, Nattatida Meewangpla, Thida Thavornset and other former Red Shirt activists.

Thanking those who joined the ceremony, Phayao remarked that, although an inquest determined that the victims were most likely killed by military personnel, the perpetrators had not been brought to justice. The 6 killed at the temple, which had been declared a sanctuary for protesters, were shot at a medical tent inside the temple. She remains hopeful that justice will be delivered before the statute of limitations expires but said that she will continue to tell the world about what happened and what the military did to civilians in May 2010.

A number of opposition politicians joined the ceremony, including People’s Party MPs Sasinan Thamnitinan, who said that MPs have requested information from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) about progress in the investigation concerning the Red Shirt crackdowns. She said the documents they received were incomplete, adding that follow-up is needed. 

The party reportedly intends to amend a number of laws to prevent a repeat of the 2010 crackdowns. Cdr Kittipong Piyawanno, another People’s Party MP attending the ceremony, said that the party plans to amendment the Military Court Act, noting that many crackdown-related lawsuits ended because military prosecutors dismissed charges. 

The People’s Party is proposing that military personnel who commit criminal offences against civilians be tried by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases as opposed to the Military Court.

As soldiers who disagree with their superiors must follow orders, Cdr Kittipong added that there should be a legal mechanism that allows them to refuse orders if they are told to attack civilians.

Vigils at Ratchaprasong demand justice for crackdown victims

Two gatherings took place on Tuesday evening (19 May) at Ratchaprasong Intersection to mark the anniversary. One, attended by former Red Shirt activists, was held opposite the Big C Ratchadamri supermarket. Participants took turn giving speeches and lit candles in memory of the victims.

Another was held by the overpass next to Central World. Speeches were given in memory of the crackdown victims. Speakers included former Red Shirt leaders Thida Tavornseth and Weng Tojirakarn; People’s Party MPs Sasinan Thamnitinan, Phanida Mongkolsawat, and Seksit Yaemsanguansak; senators Tewarit Maneechai and Sunthorn Phruekpipat; and activist Nattatida Meewangpla.

Representatives of students from Thammasat University and Chulalongkorn University, together with activist Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon and a member of the activist group Mok Luang Rim Nam, delivered a eulogy for the victims. The gathering concluded with music and a candle-lit vigil.