NARATHIWAT, Thailand — On the somber anniversary of the Tak Bai massacre, families and survivors gathered to remember the tragic deaths of 78 individuals who suffocated in army trucks after a violent encounter with Thai security forces. The haunting events of 25 October 2004 remain fresh in the memories of those affected, particularly as the 20-year statute of limitations on murder charges against the accused expires, bringing a painful reality: justice will not be served.
A Long-Standing Struggle for Justice
Relatives of the victims, including Khalijah Musa, whose brother Sari lost his life that day, voiced their outrage during a recent memorial service. “There is no natural justice in our country; our voices are just not loud enough,” she stated. Despite the deep pain felt by these families, authorities remain unmoved. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra offered an apology on 24 October, but she confirmed that there would be no extension of the statute of limitations.
The Events of the Tak Bai Massacre
- On 25 October 2004, security forces opened fire on a crowd protesting outside a police station.
- Seven people were shot dead, while 78 more suffocated in military detention trucks, face down with their hands tied.
- The violence is one of the defining moments in the ongoing conflict in Thailand’s southern regions.
Continued Impunity
The massacre stands as a symbol of the state’s impunity in the predominantly Muslim southern provinces. More than 7,000 lives have been lost since violence escalated in 2004, yet no security personnel have faced accountability for extrajudicial killings or torture.
In August, a provincial court accepted a case against seven officials, including a former army commander who was recently elected to Parliament. However, they have not appeared in court, and the case is expected to be dismissed on 28 October 2024, closing another chapter of unaccountability.
Memories of Sorrow
Survivors continue to carry the weight of their experiences. Mariyoh Chewae, who lost her brother, expressed the enduring pain, stating, “It feels like it was only yesterday. I don’t think I can get over it.” Another survivor, Mariki Doloh, who lost a leg due to the ordeal, recalled his trauma and disbelief at the events that occurred.
An Inadequate Compensation
In 2012, under then Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the government paid 7.5 million baht (approximately S$293,000) to the families of the deceased. Parida Tohle, who lost her only son, reflected on the inadequacy of monetary compensation—”In exchange for my son’s life, it was not worth it,” she lamented.
As we remember the victims of the Tak Bai massacre, the calls for justice persist, reminding us of the deep scars that violence has left in the southernmost provinces of Thailand.