Asia Sentinel

Back in February 2003, Thai police called in Somjit Khayandee for questioning after her name turned up on a blacklist of suspected methamphetamine dealers in Petchburi province. The nearly illiterate 42-year-old grocer was confused, and signed an affidavit saying she had nothing to do with the drug trade.

Three days later, four men wearing black shirts, black pants, hats and sunglasses stepped inside her shophouse. They ordered some beer, and then promptly fired eight bullets into Somjit as her pregnant daughter, seven-year-old granddaughter and four other relatives looked on.

“I do not understand,” Somjit’s daughter said, recounting her mother’s story to Human Rights Watch in its 2004 report “Not Enough Graves” examining Thailand’s notorious crackdown on drugs four years ago.

“If the police believed that my mother was a drug dealer, they should have come and searched our shophouse,” she said. “They did not seem to be interested in investigating and arresting people that killed my mother, although they said she was killed by a drug gang.”

Somjit was killed along with more than 2,000 others in 2003 as part of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s so-called War on Drugs. Although the extra-judicial deaths have riled human rights groups for years, no independent panel has ever surfaced to properly investigate the killings   until now, that is.

Last week, the Justice Ministry suddenly announced that it would re-open investigations into the killings. An independent body led by a former attorney general will examine whether the deaths were simply drug dealers shooting each other, as Thaksin’s government rather implausibly claimed, or if security forces took the law into their own hands.

“Thousands of lives have been tossed away like fish or vegetables, therefore we must find the person responsible,” Justice Ministry official Jaran Pukdithanakul told reporters in announcing the probe. “We must have an answer for society how these 2,500 people died.”

But despite the sanctimonious words, Thailand is unlikely to get any answers on the drug war deaths anytime soon. Although the current military-installed government now has a great incentive to make the former premier look like a ruthless murderer, the long delay in launching the investigation stems from a combination of widespread public support for the drug war and its support from those in the military who launched the coup that booted Thaksin out in September last year.

Indeed, many Thaksin critics believed the drug war served as one of the greatest justifications for the putsch. But while army-appointed investigators have been combing through Thaksin’s business dealings, the silence on the drug war has been deafening.

“We as a network of human rights workers and activists have urged the government again and again to look into these human rights violations, which occurred on such a scale that it turned a ripple into a huge tidal wave in the South,” former senator and vehement Thaksin critic Kraisak Choonhavan said in an interview, referring to the vicious insurgency in the predominately Malay-Muslim South that re-erupted around the time the drug war was launched.

“The government chose to ignore the drug war almost completely even though we presented 40 very tight cases out of thousands,” he said. “They only decided to meekly launch this investigation after a human rights organization wrote a letter to the Premier League.”

The July 30 letter —  written by Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch to the Premier League to protest Thaksin’s purchase of football club Manchester City  — made news all over the globe. In citing the war on drugs as the “most disturbing period of Mr. Thaksin’s rule,” Adams wrote: “His past actions should lead to him being subjected to investigations by impartial police and prosecutors, not welcomed into the club of owners of the most popular football league in the world.”

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League’s CEO, responded by essentially saying that none of the allegations against Thaksin have been proven: “Should you have presented your evidence to the authorities we would be interested to know how they responded to you,” he wrote.

Certainly authorities have done nothing much so far, and it’s not hard to see why. Opinion polls showed that the drug war was immensely popular among the Thai public, so an investigation into the murders is unlikely to score the junta many political points.

In addition, the campaign proved successful at stemming use of ya baa, “crazy medicine” in Thai, as methamphetamine is known locally. “For years, Thailand used to have the world’s highest methamphetamine prevalence figures, but this changed following the market crackdown in 2003,” says the UN’s 2007 World Drug Report released in June.

Although the war on drugs “unfortunately” led to a high number of casualties, the report says, “there is no doubt that the methamphetamine situation in Thailand is far better today than it was at the peak of the methamphetamine epidemic in 2001.”

Moreover, it says, the crackdown led to a “massive increase in demand for treatment, which helped eliminate a large number of potential consumers from the market.”

At the time, the drug war received plenty of support from top members of the security forces, as well as the palace. The campaign was seen as a response to King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s annual birthday speech in 2002 calling for the government to solve the “methamphetamine problem.”

In December 2003, the king called on Thaksin to investigate how each person died. But in the same speech he also said: “Victory in the war on drugs is good. They may blame the crackdown for more than 2,500 deaths, but this is a small price to pay. If the prime minister failed to curb [the drug trade], over the years the number of deaths would easily surpass this toll.”

The Bangkok Post wrote an editorial this week saying that it’s not too late for justice and blasted the attitude “that it is somehow worthwhile to kill a few innocent people, so long as most of the casualties are drug dealers.” It called on the lead investigator of the new panel to resist bureaucratic and police pressure so the country can “know what happened, along with who winked at extra-judicial steps and who authorized them.”

Human rights groups aren’t expecting much given the current government’s track record. Activists point out, for example, that the junta has done nothing to open criminal investigations into three senior military officers who were responsible by a Pattani Provincial Court for ordering the killing of 28 men in southern Thailand’s Krue Se Mosque in April 2004. Moreover, no action was taken after an independent fact-finding committee found three other army officers responsible for the deaths of 78 protesters in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district in 2004 who suffocated after military officers piled them on top of each other in army trucks.

“If the government wants to demonstrate sincerity about investigations into human rights abuses during the last few years, it should also see that the six army officers accused in connection with the killings in the South the same year are prosecuted,” said Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights Commission.

In fact, coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin reinstated one of the officers implicated in the Pattani case, General Pallop Pinmanee, as public relations director of the Internal Security and Operations Command, a secretive unit known for suppression of political opponents.

The military-dominated political environment may make it hard for the families of drug war victims like Somjit to ever see justice. Kraisak, for one, thinks it’s too late.

“The life of this government will be over very soon, in four or five months, and Mr. Thaksin will probably storm back into power,” he said.

As for the junta’s lack of interest in drug war deaths, Kraisak added: “The coup was made by very conservative military people whose subordinates or colleagues served Mr. Thaksin very well to perpetuate a horrific rule over Thailand. It's as simple as that.”

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written by Freedom , August 19, 2007

The war on drugs was a good idea and the intention of Thaksin was probably good – to stop the continuing and increasing drug problem in Thailand.

However, once there has been any declaration of any policy or instructions by the government, it invariably takes on a new meaning - Money. Whether there was any intention from Thaksin that there was to be the 'elimination' of people involved in the drug business or not, those who were already involved in the business would have a green light to eliminate those who were either competitors or who threatened their operations by coming clean. Senior police and army personnel are directly involved in this dirty business. They work with people even higher in the Thai 'elite', who distance themselves from any involvement – they just collect the money! As the demand for drugs has been increased, there have been other smaller groups getting into the business. The police had to eliminate these people to protect their own interests, and by extension their bosses. They did not want competition. They also had to eliminate those who wanted to get out of the business for fear that they would talk and implicate them. The result was the "extrajudicial" killing of many in the business and possibly others who the police wanted to get rid of anyway. They had the perfect cover. The total drug business probably did not reduce, but was kept within the 'elite' and their police and army lackeys.

Those that run the drug business are conspicuous by the wealth that they have and cannot explain the origin of. How can police and army officers have the lifestyles that they have on their salaries? Several luxury cars, children at expensive schools overseas, big houses, extensive land and business holdings etc. are common. Almost all aspects of law enforcement and illegal business in Thailand result in huge financial gain for the police, the army and their "bosses".

It is amazing that ALL the people and institutions who have unexplained wealth are not subject to the same treatment that Thaksin has been getting. By ALL, I mean ALL. There is incredible wealth that has been amassed by certain individuals and their 'large, protected family' that Thai people cannot even consider. Those involved know where their money comes from but turn a blind eye. No-one dares question it.

Yes, there have been many human rights violations in Thailand and these are not all connected to drugs. They are also continuing unabated. All that is done is to create more committees to whitewash them. Unfortunately the Thai people are not allowed to put their country in order. The judges are told to "Solve the problem". The army are told to thwart democracy. Who orders this and why? That is the question that the Thais must address, not to go on persecuting Thaksin and divert attention from the real villain(s). Under the circumstances that prevail in Thailand, democracy will not be permitted. Those in real power have too much to lose. Surely it could be argued that it is illegal for the USA to continue to do business with a country where a democratically elected government has been overthrown by an Elite who are intent on ensuring their continued power at the expense of the people

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Another side of truth
written by Athitaya , August 14, 2007

Leopold,

Thanks for feedback. The article is good, indeed. But I was telling anotehr side of the source that is never been exposed to public unless someone who reallys wants to dig down for the truth.

I think I have already explained why 2,500 people died in extra-judicial as people are saying. Some of cases are "mixed" up with the drug dealers. For example, Mr. John got killed and police checked out at the scene and then said "ah..this guy may be involved with drug, so he may have been killed by his allies".

See? And as I talked to many of my police friend, including high and low ranks. The lower says "the upper told us to get rid of those drug dealer, we have told them to quit selling drug, if he didn't, he'd be dead".

So who is the upper one? Nobody. Because, no one is responsible..it's just word-to-word. That's the way that Thai police do. I'm not big fan of Thaksin indeed, but I'm explaining what's really happened. The cops all over the world are the same. Unless we caught them in red hand, we can fully blame the bad ones.

But for this case, before Thaksin got power, the drug was tearing down country. Many children were used to sell drug. Drug was every where. I don't support people to kill others even they are bad guys. But bad guy is bad guy. Police knows who the bad guy. And even cop is bad guy. Sounds complicate huh?

You asked about Gen. Chaiyasit, yes. He was the Army Chief, but only for a year then he's removed to be Highest Commander of Military in Thaksin era. And he's got no power at all. Gen. Ruangrot who succed Chiyasit position had nothing to do. Not all Thaksin's men were in power. So those who got stepped on toe were mad at Thaksin. Then it led to Gen. Prem to start giving speech dressing in army uniform, saying old soilder never die and military is not to serve the government but belongs to the King.

Anyway, a few days ago, in Lamphun, a province in the north close to Chiang Mai, a boy riding on motorcycle was beaten by soldiers who set up the check point on a local road there. The boy didn't realise he got stopped, the soldiers dragged him down, kicking, etc.

Where is the news to public?

Another news, a soldier in Nakornsawan, 3 hours driving from Bangkok, got a dog fight with some English kids in front of policemen. Those boys are from a Priemier Leauge, Tottham Spure (I don't know how to spell). The Bristish ambossador had talked to Gen. Sarayudd about this issue. The boy father is U.K. police said how this happened in front of policemen.

I love soldier who care of their duty, not in politics. Oh, by the way, that Major who sent his boy to bomb a van in Rangsit is one of the key player in the last Sept. coup. Don Muang airport is controlled by Air Force military. See it now?

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written by Leopold , August 13, 2007

Athitaya, I know nothing can change how you feel about Thaksin, but for Christ's sake did you even bother to read the article at all?
I'm sure it's easier to attack Kraisak than to explain why 2,500 extra-judicial deaths happened under the Thaksin's govt.
We're not going to argue whether Thaksin was the one who pulled the trigger or not. It doesn't matter... Even if there wasn't any alleged police death squads then, he is still responsible for those deaths. The word "EXTRA-JUDICIAL" says a lot already.
And since you reminded me of the so-called war on gangsters, I wonder why Thaksin was afraid of that particular major? That incident you described makes me thinking... who was the army chief then? ... Was it Chaiyasit Shinawatra?
You know ... you demonize and blame the military for everything although, during the first term of Thaksin, the army and the police was in his almost complete control. Ruengroj Mahasaranond is a good example of his proxy in the army.

BTW, Kraisak has been active to criticize Thaksin's war on drug for years, I seriously doubt a that I needed the money, which is next to nothing for him considering his family's wealth, to say about this issue.

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You know who killed those?
written by Athitaya , August 12, 2007

As a Thai, I think Thai people know "Buddha" but not many people "understand" what he's taught.

Even in Buddha era, he couldn't make everyone to be good people. Not even his relatives. It's common so that's one of the Buddah's teaching.

For those who Mr.John mentioned, I could tell they died because they stepped on someone's toe. And that someone, is quite influential. During Thaksin government, there's a campaign to strike the fluentials, gangsters.

And you know? Many influentials are soldiers. Thaksin government had cut military budget and tried to keep the size smaller and he encouraged civil servants like soldier to follow King's project, to build another job, like self-sufficient things. And many were doing well. You have no money? We have loans for you.

But, for some bad sheep, they were angry because Thaksin stepped on their toe. Like drug dealers linked with some authorities.

A van operator at Rangsit area was threatened by some army soldier when Thaksin was in office. Her car was blasted off. THe police found evidence linked to some major in 1st Division Army.

No doubt for those who died are victim of this.

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Who killed Phra Supoj Suvacano?
written by John Francis Lee , August 12, 2007

Who killed Phra Supoj Suvacano? A Buddhist monk in the Fang district of Chiang Mai who had only the interests of the forest and the people at heart, who radiated Metta, who was murdered by "influential people" in league with a "national politician" in Chiang Mai for refusing to turn over his Wat's lands to them and their corrupt schemes, who practiced instead the settikit paw pieng.

Who killed Charoen Wat-asksorn? A villager who stood up on behalf of his village to claim their rights in the face of environmental degradation, who practiced the settikit paw pieng.

Who killed Somchai Neelaphaijit? A lawyer for the people murdered by the Thai military in South Thailand.

Whenever anyone "threatens" to actually practice democracy in Thailand they are murdered.

And their murders are never solved.

For their murderers are the same people who run the government, or under their protection. Are those who hate democracy. Are those who honor the rule of force and love corruption.

None of the real culprits are ever caught and punished in Thailand.

The unsolved murders of the people are purposefully held up as an example by the corrupt media, to teach the Thai people what lies in store for them if they try to assert their civil rights. If they try to practice the settikit paw pieng.

They will be murdered and their murderers not only will escape punishment they will profit from their murders and be feared and respected for them as well.

Even for the murderers of Buddhist monks are honored in this fashion.

In this fine "Buddhist" country.

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written by Athitaya , August 12, 2007

Krisak? Oh..he's one of the team funded by secret budget by the CNS. The CNS has issued a propaganda to attack Thaksin. This information can be found at http://www.hi-thaksin.org

The CNS admitted it's true and they were searching for black cat in the army who submitted this document to the Hi-Thaksin website.

In the document, Krisak is responsible as one of the man who would accuse Thaksin to the world with human right violation charge. The team is led by Gen. Saprang's brother, Dr. Chianchuang Kalayanamitr, and it's funded 12 million Baht (that's Thai people's tax).

The procedure is, to accuse Thaksin of human right violation, they supposed to hire a German lawyer to bring Thaksin to justice as criminal something.

The document was released since Jan. '07, and it's signed by CNS Chairman, Gen. Sonthi.

If you're journalist, you should find out more truth.

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Timely update
written by Thad Williamson , August 11, 2007

Good article that confirms sense that as bad as Thaksin may have been, the junta has been worse on this issue. Human rights groups continue to be up in arms about this, with reason, but how do ordinary Thais feel? Will there be serious pressure on the new government when formed to do a serious investigation? Will it be an issue when elections finally happen?

btw, this is a site for Man City supporters trying to learn more about the controversies surrounding Thaksin. http://thaksin.wordpress.com.

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