Frustration as TRCT's end nears

The committee is to be dissolved in July and many hoped that facts and solutions gathered through the two-year period would shed some light on what stirred the unrest that left over 90 people dead and many injured. Also the desire was to find ways to heal the still-fresh wounds and discover how to prevent similar violence. 

“It was easier when I was involved in finding facts behind the May Bloodbath in 1992 as it took place after the dust had settled. This one is still on-going,” said Kanit Na Nakorn, chairman of the committee. 

“Our mission here is to collect facts, not evidence for use in court,” he added. 

In its three semi-annual reports, the committee had come up with numerous recommendations to resolve conflicts. Chief among them, the proposed abolition of the Terrorism Act and revision of the lese majeste law under the Constitution’s Article 112. 

Kanit explained that internationally the Terrorism Act is imposed to prevent terrorist activities and carries a medium-level penalty. The Thai version, promulgated as a royal decree, carries the death penalty and was enforced extensively, which led to strong dissent. A new version is necessary, though, with clearer definition of “terrorism acts”, he said. 

“Disturbing public peace is too broad and could cover any action, like burning waste in a public place.” 

Yet, to his disappointment, few of them have been adopted by governments. “It’s alright. Our duty is to make proposals,” he said. 

While the Abhisit government did not heed the committee’s recommendations, the Yingluck government agreed to one – the remedial package for violence victims. Kanit admitted though that it was executed differently from what the committee proposed. 

The committee suggested monthly payments to victims, as part of the annual budget. Whenever parliamentary sessions began, an apology was to be expressed. To Kanit, this was to show the victims they were being taken care of in a sustainable way. Yet, the government opted to pay a lump sum compensation and closed the case. 

In the fourth report, due on the anniversary, the committee is prepared to present facts gathered from statements of all involved in the crackdown – be they protesters, vendors in the protest areas, soldiers and police officers. A total of 3,000 people in Bangkok and the provinces will be interviewed. With help from the United Nations, the statement-taking began in March and has revealed that some victims did not know they fitted the government’s criteria for compensation. It was the first time it had been offered in Thailand, where a number of deadly protests had taken place in the past four decades. 

“Monuments are not enough to educate people about the past. We need something which can be studied. We hope that the statement-taking will provide a historic record for the public to learn the facts behind the crackdown and how to prevent a reoccurrence of similar unrest,” he said. 

A special thanks also went to the Mental Health Department, which extended help to heal victims. 

“My house was flooded last year. Now, whenever it rains, I jump. Just think about people who are psychologically abused and can’t run away from it. They are hurt,” he said. 

Kanit also praised the dispatch of foreign experts to Thailand. “Violence anywhere in the world does not affect only the country [in which it takes place], but elsewhere. This is why the international community wants to help us.” 

Kanit believed that it will take time for reconciliation. In Northern Ireland, the process took over 30 years. 

Through the past two-year period, the committee operated on the belief that all parties should collaborate if they wanted to restore peace. But it stumbled for lack of cooperation from all, particularly provincial people. But Kanit is pleased with the committee’s record. 

Much is left undone, he said, however the unfinished business at the committee will be pushed forward by the Law Reform Commission Office, a constitutional unit also chaired by Kanit. 

“We have done our best. Positively thinking, we may be able to provide a lesson to all on how to prevent more violence. To prevent it, we need support from all, including the general public and media,” Kanit concluded. 

 

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This is the first of a two-part series. Next, Kanit calls for public support for judicial procedural reform to address injustice destabilising Thai society.