Government House, 22 Oct – “Phumtham” revealed that he has ordered the legal department to study the emergency decree to amend the statute of limitations after the Tak Bai case will expire, pointing out that it is an old matter from 20 years ago. He insisted that the government will not be complacent and that there will be compensation. He said that it is a matter of national security in Thailand. Do not use it as a political movement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai gave an interview about the case where academics proposed an emergency decree to amend the statute of limitations for the Tak Bai case, saying that he was having the legal department study it and that it would proceed in accordance with the law. He also confirmed that the government was working in a concrete manner because there were searches of houses, investigations, and officers were instructed to work to their full potential. We did not interfere with the justice process. It was a matter for the justice proces
s and the court to decide.

As for the Tak Bai case, which expires on October 25, will this be a condition for more violence in the South? Mr. Phumtham said that he believes that the conditions in the South have always existed. He would like to say that this is a matter of national security and government security, so we must be careful. The government is doing its best, but don’t turn this into a political movement that creates problems and affects national security. It is a sensitive matter. We are all trying to do this. This process has many aspects that need to be looked at in detail, whether they are academics or anyone who wishes Thailand well. We want them to look at it thoroughly. We are not rejecting the victims’ relatives. We have tried to look at it. We need to look at it from the beginning to see how it is. There has been a process that has been done by previous governments all along. The government has never abandoned this. As for the legal process, 4 cases have already been brought to court. In
some cases, the accused were citizens, young people. The Prime Minister once announced the cancellation of the case in the hope of creating unity, but the violence did not decrease. Therefore, we need to look at what caused the violence. This case is just an example of political movement. Therefore, we want people to consider it thoroughly. I think the Tak Bai problem is complicated and needs to look at many conditions.

Mr. Phumtham said that currently, the Muslim organizations have not offered any more opinions than they have at present. This is not a matter that is that serious. It is an old matter from 20 years ago. If this matter had just happened, it is possible that all parties would have intervened. This matter has been going on for 20 years. There has been a process to establish a fact-finding committee. It has been brought to court. There has been compensation. When the case is closed, he confirmed that the government has spent more than 600 million baht in compensation to the fullest extent. Some o
f the victims who died have received compensation of 7 million baht. This process has been ongoing for 20 years. It is not something that anyone can think that the government is being indifferent. It is clear that the government is not indifferent.

‘Don’t use this issue as an excuse that the government is doing nothing. I have already said that it is about national security, about division. Today, Thai society in the South is a pluralistic society that lives together peacefully. Therefore, we have to ask what the details are and make it clearer,’ said Mr. Phumtham.

The reporter asked again that the time frame for issuing the emergency decree to amend the statute of limitations seems to be too late because the Tak Bai case will expire first. Mr. Phumtham said that this matter seems to have gone far. Please ask about other matters and he has already answered many questions. -316 – Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agencyl