Some families lose hope that justice will be served
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FIVE YEARS after the end of the bloody crackdown on red shirts which led to the combined death of 99 people, some of the protesters interviewed have given up hope of getting justice.
“The chance of bringing the wrongdoers to justice is nearly zero per cent,” Walailak University lecturer Uchen Chiangsaen, a protester back in 2010, said.
Uchen said even if it is hard to get justice for the protesters, “we must try our best because if it is ever successful in promoting better justice, it will set a standard if similar cases occur in the future”.
In April-May 2010, the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or red shirts gathered to protest against the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the military was ordered to disperse the protest.
‘No determination to make changes’
Red-shirt law lecturer Ekachai Chainuvati said there was not much hope that justice could eventually be served for the relatives of people who lost their lives during the crackdown.
“There is little hope to it, because it has been five years now, no matter which government is in power, they do not show determination in bringing the wrongdoers to justice,” Ekachai said.
The legal cases focus on only two people: Abhisit and his then deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, who are accused of negligence and allowing the military to disperse the protesters in a manner that led to fatalities.
“This shows that the Thai judicial process is still problematic, particularly when it comes to those who hold weapons [armed officers],” he reasoned.
UDD member Pratchayaa Surakamchomrop said if we believe the authorities have great influence over the justice process, the possibility of getting justice for relatives could be a very low.
He said the military and government officials during 2010 and now could be perceived as being related. Junta leader and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, for example, was the highest-ranking officer on the ground under Abhisit back in 2010.
But some hold hope – against all odds.
Meanwhile, Nattapat Akkahad brother of volunteer nurse Kamolkade Akkhad who was shot while tending to the injured inside Wat Pathum Wanaram in downtown Bangkok, said: “We have never lose hope in obtaining justice.”
Nattapat insisted that he and other relatives of those who lost their lives still have faith in the Thailand’s justice system.
