Phuket-riot probe must be above suspicion

The youths reportedly ran a police checkpoint, but the cops then allegedly ran into them, which would mean the police are at fault. At best, it would be manslaughter, at worst murder. 

Prayut has insisted he will not protect any wrongdoers. But, given that the military commanding officers of operations that led to wrongful killings at Krue Se (32 deaths), Tak Bai (73) and Nong Chik (four) have still not been charged after all these years, and that he’s explicitly ruled out police reform despite holding absolute power, it’s hard to believe he is willing to act against his brothers in uniform.

To be above suspicion, the investigation must be carried out by a mutually trusted third party, with Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunan, director of the Justice Ministry’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, in charge of that part of the investigation, and strong participation by Phuket civic leaders. As defendants, the police cannot investigate themselves.

The cops, too, must come under rule of law.

Burin Kantabutra