Phumtham says car bomb attack may be linked to 20-year-old case

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Monday that a car-bomb attack in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district may be linked to the 20-year-old Tak Bai massacre case, whose statute of limitations expires in October.

But the National Security Council said the latest attack might be a manifestation by insurgent groups during the transition of power of key government agencies at the end of the fiscal year.

Phumtham was commenting on an attack near the Tak Bai district chief’s residence at 9.50pm Sunday when a car bomb exploded, seriously injuring two locals and damaging nearby residences.

Asked whether the attack was related to the Tai Bai massacre case, Phutham replied: “It’s possible, as this case is under the public spotlight and it will end on October 25.”

Phumtham said he would like all the suspects to defend themselves in court so that the issue would be concluded once and for all.

On October 25, 2004, the southern army forcefully dispersed a protest by some 300 Muslims in front of the Tak Bai police station. The protesters had called for the release of six men who were being detained over suspicion of being involved in insurgency.

The troops arrested the protesters and transported them to an army base on 25 trucks, stuffing 40 or 50 protesters on each truck. By the time they reached the camp, 78 protesters had died of suffocation.

Two cases were separately filed in the case. The Office of Attorney General resolved to file charges against eight suspects, including Gen Chalermchai Wiroonphet, former commander of the 5th Infantry Division.

But families of 48 victims filed another lawsuit against seven defendants, including Chalermchai and former southern army chief Gen Phisal Wattanawongkhiri, who is now a Pheu Thai party-list MP.

When asked whether he would ask Phisal to defend himself in court before the case expires, Phumtham said he could not contact Phisal personally but a summons would be sent to his home address.

Meanwhile, Chatchai Bangchuad, deputy secretary general of the National Security Council, said he believed that the latest attack in Tak Bai was carried out to send a message that insurgent groups were still active in the Deep South.

He said the message was sent out because a transition of power was taking place at key government agencies in charge of the South’s security, as some officials retire on Monday and will be succeeded by new ones on Tuesday.

Commenting on bomb and arson attacks on buildings in Narathiwat’s Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary on September 22, Chatchai said the authorities suspected that the attack might have been carried out with support from inside sources.

Chatchai said the area normally escaped attacks by insurgents as it was a tourism zone, and the stolen shotguns were a type rarely used by insurgents. As a result, the attack might have been motivated by conflicts among local officials as well, he said.