No order to open fire on the crowds in 2010: Abhisit
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Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has denied his government had ordered troops to open fire on the crowds in connection with the bloodshed at Rajdamnoen Avenue on April 10, 2010.
Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has denied that his government ordered troops to open fire on the crowds in connection with the bloodshed at Rajdamnoen Avenue on April 10, 2010.
Some 25 civilians and soldiers were killed and hundreds sustained injuries in the clash between anti-riot forces and red-shirt protesters.
Abhisit testified on the political mayhem at Wednesday's hearings held by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission. The TRCT is expected to issue its final report on the 2010 political strife on July 16.
"Abhisit has given a very useful statement to shed light on the violence," TRCT chairman Kanit na Nakorn said.
The TRCT report will not seek to apportion the blame or single out culprits but focus on how the events unfolded in order to prevent a repeat and enable the country to move on, Kanit said.
In his statement, Abhisit said the Centre for the Resolution of the Crisis Situation gave the green light for riot forces to be armed for self-protection and safeguard the people's lives but did not order any firing into the crowds.
In regard to the public announcement on a live bullet zone, he said the true purpose was to deter the crowds from joining the protests.
Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban is scheduled to give his statement on June 27 in his capacity as the then deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs.
