Payments in Pattani shooting to affect South violence
Granting Bt7.5million compensation payments to families of protesters killed by state authorities in the recent shooting deaths in Pattani of four villagers, reportedly by Army rangers, could complicate reconciliation efforts in the deep South, a senior S
Relatives of the many people killed by security officials in a string of incidents in the South, including the Tak Bai incident, are likely to demand the same amount – Bt7.5 million – that is to be paid to families of redshirt supporters and others killed in Bangkok in May 2010, Prasit Meksuwan said.
The guidelines for compensating families of those killed or wounded by insurgents or in counterinsurgency operations in the deep South have yet to be finalised. Relatives of the victims are hoping for the same Bt7.5 million figure.
“The relatives are asking how their mental anguish and suffering will be measured and how they will be compensated for the deaths of their loved ones,” Prasit said. Government teachers also want higher compensation rates for doing such risky jobs in a strifetorn region, he added.
