Pay-out just a step to reconciliation

But injuring/killing somebody and then making payment is only the start of the reconciliation process, for as Ms Boontarika, daughter of a slain victim, noted, “Will they only pay and forget to bring the person who killed my dad to justice?”

Also, justice cannot be biased. The same level of payment and bringing of wrongdoers to justice must cover victims of other political violence, such as the manslaughter of Tak Bai and the use of excessive force at Krue Se. Since the culprits in these two instances have clearly been identified, PM Yingluck should bring them to court post-haste – if she has the guts to do so. Like the red shirts are rightfully fond of saying, “No double standards!”

Handing out money is just the start of reconciliation.

Burin Kantabutra