1973 victims: What about us?

Victims of previous political violence, including the incidents of October 1973, are waiting quietly but anxiously for the Yingluck Shinawatra government to agree with their request for 1.2 million baht each in compensation.

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has agreed to a proposal for a lump-sum package instead of the monthly assistance now paid by the government, said Prawais Em-amorn, a key member of the Association of October 14 Relatives.The ministry has asked the elderly relatives and victims of the 1973 incidents to wait until the current payments to victims of more recent political violence have been made. Once the attention surrounding the current payments has died down, the ministry would seek cabinet endorsement for a package for others who suffered four decades ago, added Lamied Boonmark, the chairwoman of the association.Lamied’s husband Jira, a master’s student at the National Institute of Development Administration, was killed on Oct 14, 1973, during pro-democracy rallies that brought down the military government of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn.While she welcomed the compensation for the families of the red-shirts, Lamied, 67, said she wanted the Yingluck government to speed up reparations to victims of state violence in the 1970s as well.After Oct 14, 1973, the Sanya Dharmasak government set up a 30-million-baht fund, managed by the Foundation for the October Victims, to provide monthly support of 400 baht to relatives of the dead or injured. The fund closed in 2004, after which the Thaksin Shinawatra administration paid 250,000 baht to the families of each of those who died."Some relatives did not want to get involved with the issue again, so they faded out, but some 60 people believe we have to group together to help each other in times of dire need, such as when someone is hospitalised or cremated," said Mr Prawais, 59.The Association of the 14 October Relatives previously sought help from the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Sathit Wongnongtoey, then a PM's Office minister, promised them 7,000 baht per month in cost of living support."The relatives have agreed [to settle for] a one-time final figure of 1.2 million baht, as we are already old and dying. Since early this year, three people have already passed away. This is the last request from relatives of those whom society calls 'heroes'," said Mr Prawais, who was shot by an M16 rifle bullet in the upper thigh.In another development, uncertainty has arisen in connection with compensation for some red-shirt members involved in the events of May 2010. It's not clear if those now charged with offences will receive compensation if they are acquitted by the courts.Jiem Thongmak and Arthit Baosuwan have just received a document from the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court to confirm that their cases have reached the final stage.The two were among seven defendants charged with violations of the emergency decree, robbery, and fighting against the authorities during the CentralWorld fire on May 19, 2010. In December 2011, the court acquitted the two of the two latter charges; they have confessed to the emergency decree violations.The pair have to wait until all possible appeals have been exhausted before they could obtain documents as free people.However, they still wonder if they would be entitled to receive the compensation from the Yingluck government."This still excludes the jail term we have served. We were imprisoned more than a year longer than we should have been," said Mrs Jiem, 47. "The emergency decree violation carries six months' imprisonment but we were in prison for nearly two years."

 

Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 26/05/2012 at 09:13 AM
This whole compensation concept was floated as a way to bring reconciliation, but it is actually causing more division (as many predicted). You can't throw money at an issue and expect the whole problem to go away. There are so many incidents in Thailand's brief democratic history that could be perceived as injustice by the sitting government. Shall we throw money at all of them? And should it be limited to just participants in the actions, what about non-participants, like businesses and employees who lost their business, the income, perhaps even their life savings. Money does not solve problems, it only hides them for a few moments. True reconciliation will only come about when the government quits thinking it is the owner and starts thinking like a manager. Consult with all parties and come up with a joint plan for Thailand's future. There are smart politicians in ALL the parties, take advantage of their knowledge and experience and bring Thailand back together. A business owner who totally ignores the suggestions and ideas of his staff usually ends up in bankruptcy.
Discussion 2 : 26/05/2012 at 09:04 AM
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn is not a criminal. he is one of the best PM that bring Thailand from a 3rd world country to an industrialize nation we are today. he should be celebrated as a national hero, and not delete his name from Thai history book.
Discussion 3 : 26/05/2012 at 12:24 AM
MEME D4: You are absolutely right. The military rules the roost whoever is governing. The FACT is the TS government had established an investigative committee to study the situation in the south. the RESULT if that committee was there should be a measure of self rule (among other things) as the best way forward toward solution finding. The TS government at first agreed and began to consider how to initiate the adapted changes based n the committee's findings. However, the military and a few powerful people started an intense propaganda campaign against the TS government, branding them as traitors ready to sell out the country. The TS government git cold feet because they feared losing support consequent tot he nationalist propaganda campaign against the committee's recommendations in the south. The TS government backed down and the military did as it pleased (ad as it still does) intensifying the conflict through refusal to compromise.
Discussion 4 : 26/05/2012 at 12:17 AM
How about compensation for being extorted every week by the police, by taxi drivers, by the red shirts at the airport parking, by the etc etc etc Its endless
Discussion 5 : 26/05/2012 at 12:15 AM
Talk about moral hazard! Good job PT!
Discussion 6 : 25/05/2012 at 11:37 PM
You can't buy forgiveness, nor can you put a price tag on a human life ! But you can demand justice, accountability and rule of law.
Discussion 7 : 25/05/2012 at 10:03 PM
If the government compensated every innocent citizen or refugee that the Thai military harmed then it would surely go bankrupt. Which is very ironic because the Thai military has been morally bankrupt for some time now.
Discussion 8 : 25/05/2012 at 08:29 PM
What about the more than 2,500 killed by the fugitive during his war on drugs? What about his massacre at Tak Bai? What about more than 600 killed during last year's floods as a result of the impotence the Puea Thaksin government?
Discussion 9 : 25/05/2012 at 08:08 PM
In my opinion the people that were killed or maimed in the October 1973 uprising are justified to receive compensation from the government. They had a proper goal to rid this country of a tyrant. On the other hand if any compensation is paid out to the red shirts it should come from Thaksin, Jatuporn, Arisman, Weng and every red leader that incited their hatred and anger to destroy city halls, many buildings in Bangkok and ultimately lead to the deaths of there companions. They were urged to go home by the government and warned of an ultimate disbursement of the mobs but Jatuporn, Arisman and company urged them to stay and told them they would stand with them to the death.
Discussion 10 : 25/05/2012 at 07:46 PM
The country is going mad!!!!
Discussion 11 : 25/05/2012 at 07:26 PM
Lets award everyone for everything so i will be ok for Thaksin to come back .

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