TRC report blames reds, army

The Truth for Reconciliation Commission officially presented the results of its two-year investigation into the 2010 anti-government protests yesterday.

Published: 18/09/2012 at 12:00 AM

The probe blamed both the red shirts and the military for the violence that resulted in at least 92 deaths.

The commission also shed more light on the role of the "men in black" in deadly attacks during the protests, confirming their links to red-shirt figure Maj Gen Khattiya Sawatdiphol, known as Seh Daeng, and the protesters' security guards.

Somchai Homla-or, the fact-finding sub-committee's chairman, spent an hour addressing a press conference to present the TRC's report.

He said the paper should be treated as the most reliable and credible record of the events, although more facts could have been discovered if the power of the commission had not been limited.

The report, nearly 400 pages in total, was released to conclude the two-year term of the TRC, whose chairman was appointed by former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Australian and Swiss ambassadors, along with a dozen foreign diplomats, members of international organisations such as the UN Office of Human Rights and Human Rights Watch and members of red and yellow shirt movements were present at the TRC press conference.

Mr Somchai concluded that the 2010 violence was the result of a series of conflicts which began during the government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the coup in 2006 and anti-government protests in Pattaya and Din Daeng during Songkran in 2009.

He claimed the TRC has found evidence that the men in black who engaged in violent attacks on the authorities using M79 grenades and rifles had received support from red-shirt security guards linked to Maj Gen Khattiya.

The attacks caused nine deaths, killing a member of the Love Silom Group along with two policemen and six military officers, including Gen Romklao Thuwatham, at Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on April 10, 2010.

The officer was leading a unit of troops to clear red-shirt protesters from a section of the avenue when he was hit by an M-67 grenade, believed to have been hurled from a wooden house opposite Satreewithaya School at the intersection.

A member of Maj Gen Khattiya's political party rejected Mr Somchai's statement that the officer, who was killed near the Lumpini MRT station on May 13, 2010, was seen on April 10, the same day the men in black were sighted.

Atipparut Garnjanasoowun, founding member and secretary-general of the Khattiya Party, said Maj Gen Khattiya had left the protest site on April 9 and it was impossible that he had been seen at the rally on April 10.

"This report has misstated information and dates and should be clarified, otherwise it will be perceived that Seh Daeng [Maj Gen Khattiya] was responsible for all the violence," he said.

Mr Somchai said nearly half the deaths took place during the government's campaign to reclaim protest zones.

Accounts from witnesses and other evidence also showed that authorities and the men in black had exchanged gunfire at Wat Pathum Wanaram, Mr Somchai said, adding that the six deaths at the temple were caused by shots from the direction in which security forces were stationed nearby.

While referring to the men in black, Mr Somchai said it was difficult to further identify who these people worked for.

The group's mission appeared to be to attack and make it harder for authorities to do their job during the protest.

Mr Somchai said the TRC's investigation also found that Maj Gen Khattiya was shot from a spot in an area under the control of the military.

It was unclear, however, which building the gunman had fired at him from.

The TRC concluded that the protest organiser _ the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) _ was partly to blame for the violence.

Protest leaders provoked demonstrators with their speeches and made inadequate efforts to prevent the violence, Mr Somchai said.

The government, meanwhile, failed to control the military's use of war weapons to quell the protest, he said.

The government-appointed Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation did not have the capability to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the crowd control measures, Mr Somchai said.

Kittipong Kitayarak, permanent secretary of justice and TRC member, called on political groups to avoid exploiting specifics in the report for political gain.

Kanit na Nakorn, TRC chairman, said his personal observation was that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra should stay out of Thai politics.

However, Kwanravee Wangudom, of the People's Information Centre, said the TRC report was ambiguous and did not assign responsibility for the events which took place.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the TRC was not a court and investigations into the clashes should be conducted in court.

Pheu Thai Party list MP Weng Tojirakarn, who is also a red-shirt protest leader, yesterday demanded the TRC present evidence to back its conclusion that armed black-clad men were present at the rally and enjoyed support from his red-shirt group.

He rejected the TRC's claim that men in black fired at soldiers on an elevated electric train platform in Pathumwan, forcing soldiers to return fire.

Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit welcomed the TRC findings.

"Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on several occasions that her government would accept the work of the TRC. Therefore, the TRC's recommendations should be considered," he said.

TRC report highlights

- "Men in black" were supported by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) guards and were close to late Maj Gen Khattiya Sawatdiphol.

- The men in black were involved in the deaths of eight security officers, including Gen Romklao Thuwatham.

- Gen Romklao Thuwatham died as a result of injuries from M67 grenade shells, not bullets.

- UDD leaders failed to prevent violence.

- Soldiers used many live rounds in their operations.

- The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) lacked a system to monitor the operations of officers.

- The CRES deployed a number of war weapons and equipment in its operations, which instigated distrust among protesters.

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Discussion 1 : 19/09/2012 at 08:35 AM: ringmaster: Answer me this question; if the protesters had come, made their point for a few days and then left and/or had dispersed when warned after 2 months of intimidation, violence and killing of the public and security forces, then how many would be dead? I’ll tell you, none. Every death is because they stayed and caused mayhem and death in a major city. Of course they had to be dispersed. They were killing people. And if they didn’t respond violently to the crackdown then maybe less or none would have died but they didn’t. They shot back with guns and grenades.
Discussion 2 : 19/09/2012 at 08:18 AM: ringmaster D21: You ask me how many were armed? Neither you nor I will ever know that answer, but many were which you deny in your 1st post. Easy to take a weapon off red comrade as he hits the deck thus rendering him ‘unarmed’. Red and Black shirts were attacking security forces from within non armed protesters with snipers and grenade launchers, thus using them as human shields and hoping for casualties to put the authorities in a bad light. They achieved their goal and of course unarmed people died. That was the whole idea. If the armed protesters within the protesters had not shot and killed using war weapons; Ak47s, M16s, M79 grenade launchers and M67 grenades then it didn’t have to get deadly. But they did and that is an undisputable fact. Of course they had to be dispersed by any means possible.
Discussion 3 : 19/09/2012 at 02:52 AM: Disc 36 Sorry, the number you and HRW gave is totally unsubstantiated. http://asiancorrespondent.com/20405/2275-where-did-this-number-come-from/
Discussion 4 : 19/09/2012 at 12:02 AM: D31 I never said there weren't armed men in red shirts or armed men in black shirts. But perhaps they may not have felt the need to be armed if there was not complete impunity for the men in the green shirts. If Thailand is to ever get out of this cycle of violence and massacres that has happened over the past 40+ years then impunity for the military needs to end.
Discussion 5 : 18/09/2012 at 06:58 PM: englishbob D39 You are always going on about how people don't care about the drug war deaths etc. OK! I'll back your campaign for prosecutions 100%, now, show us the proof you are going to use to get a conviction.
Discussion 6 : 18/09/2012 at 06:19 PM: Disc35 - "P.S. There were no "weapons of war" either!" Those 2500 people executed without trial or proof of guilt, probably weren't concerned about your classification of the weapons used to shoot them. I find it incredible how glibly you dismiss 2500 cold-blooded executions over an extended period, with plenty of opportunities for Thaksin to stop the bloodshed. But you will blame Abhisit for the deaths that occurred in the heat of battle - and it WAS a battle - between two armed groups.
Discussion 7 : 18/09/2012 at 04:51 PM: D26,Khun Raimund is spot on. The extinction of the greedy and ruthless Shinawatra dynasty will bring peace,unity and prosperity to the Thai people.
Discussion 8 : 18/09/2012 at 04:46 PM: whatajoke D27 I agree that the report is useful as it is the first time any official report on violent clashes in Thailand has been made public. However the commission seems to have got cold feet and backed off from making any real findings about guilt. Its all very well to be pro prosecution and anti amnesty but if no prosecutions happen then amnesty is the only way. The worst thing would be selective prosecutions.
Discussion 9 : 18/09/2012 at 04:40 PM: Disc 35 - "This is a totally unsubstantiated statement that you just made up! How do you know?" Substantiated - http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/type,COUNTRYREP,HRW,THA,412efec42,0.html
Discussion 10 : 18/09/2012 at 04:14 PM: Discussion 24 : "@Disc 14 - If you look back at TRT's days, they deployed war weapons on their "War on Drugs" campaign. Sadly more than 2500 lives were lost, most were innocent people" This is a totally unsubstantiated statement that you just made up! How do you know? I lived in the hills during those months; I knew men who were executed, mid-level dealers & I know who did it too. NONE of them were 'innocent' & all of them were warned to quit first. Most did, these did not. P.S. There were no "weapons of war" either!
Discussion 11 : 18/09/2012 at 03:30 PM: Its always the people of Bangkok at fault for everything. Meanwhile, they have elected the same leaders for the past xxx years and their plight hasn't exactly changed. Blame BKK people? Wouldn't blaming their elected leaders be more appropriate?
Discussion 12 : 18/09/2012 at 02:50 PM: Diss 30 What u said but add yelling
Discussion 13 : 18/09/2012 at 02:06 PM: The whole country of Thailand is as of today and since 2001 held hostage by the men in Dubai. All the actions taken by the current Gov. did nothing to pave the way for reconciliation. Instead the Gov. is going into confrontation with its opponents. The truth and nothing but the truth must be told about the events in 2009,2010. Thailand had enough "White lies".
Discussion 14 : 18/09/2012 at 01:20 PM: Dis 2 I bet you have never been near the demonstrators. I passed them many times on my way to Pratunam and was real upset,that police allowed such hooligans to occupy the streets and harass people.All red guards were armed .They had pipes,sticks, knifes.machetes and it looked like most were on drugs.Government should have steam rolled the whole place in the beginning.
Discussion 15 : 18/09/2012 at 01:15 PM: Ringlicker Dis#17 "Why do you feel this massacre is different from the others"? Because the poor were herded to their deaths on behalf of the Bro`master of lies and corruption and his cronies ? Funny how that even after his almost decade or 2 terms in power the rural poor were still "the rural poor" , but were offered and swallowed the excuse that it was the Bangkok elite that did it to them and treated them badly , meanwhile history shows that it was all over a corrupt liar and now convicted criminal fugitive who`s clone of corruption and lies is now holding the Thai purse wide open on his behalf ?
Discussion 16 : 18/09/2012 at 01:12 PM: @ringmaster #17: Do you think it is so much better that the American soldiers killed many thousand innocent non-Americans? When will American citizens realize that non-Americans are also human beings?
Discussion 17 : 18/09/2012 at 01:03 PM: I don't believe a single word of this statement. First of all, to tell the truth you must be Honest!! To be honest , to have responsibility and planning don't exist in Thai society regardless education level . At last we all know why you so afraid of Khun Thaksin.
Discussion 18 : 18/09/2012 at 01:02 PM: D17 Bkkposter: I've read three different news reports on this, each quoting selected items from the 400 pages which give a different slant as to who was the most guilty, frankly I think this report is quite damning of the army and govt despite the fact that Abhisit appointed it, and one wonders how this might have turned out had the shoe been on the other (govt) foot, more or less biased? But it seems to be the most comprehensive and substantiated report so far, certainly comparing it to the one sided view presented by PTP during the parliamentary debate. And it makes some sensible assertions here; such as people needing to be prosecuted, and that a whitewash bill will have a negative impact. I think this guy comes across as sincere and balanced compared to any other suggestion or opinion we've so far heard.
Discussion 19 : 18/09/2012 at 12:53 PM: It all started with Thaksin and it will end with him.
Discussion 20 : 18/09/2012 at 12:39 PM: "He said the paper should be treated as the most reliable and credible record of the events, although more facts could have been discovered if the power of the commission had not been limited." It seems to be generally fair, but the many questions left unanswered will undoubtedly mean that this report will not satisfy anybody.
Discussion 21 : 18/09/2012 at 12:09 PM: @Disc 14 - If you look back at TRT's days, they deployed war weapons on their "War on Drugs" campaign. Sadly more than 2500 lives were lost, most were innocent people. I still can't comprehend the number of lives lost, whereas PTP supporters think its just peanuts compare to the 100 lives lost during the UDD protests.
Discussion 22 : 18/09/2012 at 11:48 AM: and now is the time to bring terrorist charges against the fugitive for instigating and deploying his red mob to violence and the burning of bangkok,whether the TRT have the will power and the means to go after this criminal whose is on the run ,we hope to see ,obviously this regime want to whitewash the whole event as the PM has a conflict of interest ?
Discussion 23 : 18/09/2012 at 11:09 AM: Discussion 2 , as long as we have people like you who keep denying that the reds were having armed and violent criminals operating within their ranks, this country will go right down the drain!!
Discussion 24 : 18/09/2012 at 10:55 AM: D5 From the report - there were 8 security officers who were killed (6 army and 2 police - I believe). There were also 2 reporters killed. That leaves 80 others killed - mostly protesters. A bit of a disparity don't you think? And of these 80 protesters killed, how many were armed? Was nurse Kamolkade Akkahad armed when she was shot at least twice while helping another shooting victim at Wat Pathum? How about the 5 others killed at that temple?
Discussion 25 : 18/09/2012 at 10:40 AM: D3 Yes, my country sucks at many things but looking at its history, I can only find one instance where its army indiscriminately fired on it's own unarmed citizen protesters. That was at Kent State University in May 1970 - 4 people died then and that wasn't even the army but national guardsmen. No, in the last 50 years when it comes to massacring its own citizens, the Thai army is head and shoulders above most countries. Why do you feel this massacre is different from the others?
Discussion 26 : 18/09/2012 at 10:26 AM: Its pretty obvious who they were rallying for and who paid for it .Why there isnt any mention of that ? 2 years and 400 pages doesnt get you much these days does it ? I guess we are only focusing on convenient truths .
Discussion 27 : 18/09/2012 at 09:48 AM: It is very obvious that the Red movement started it advised by the very well-known adviser TS; occupied Bangkok and with the help of the so called red leaders it turned into violence. This is all proven and witnessed by many including myself. Finally violence was countered by violence from authorities (military) but in my opinion there was no more other options and history tells violence ends up with victims. The question remains: Who is to blame? The one who started it, the one who ended it or both; I leave this to the audience.
Discussion 28 : 18/09/2012 at 09:26 AM: Oops, i remember clearly some red apologists on this forum who solemnly declared..." The MIB were never caught so they did never exist".....or even better; " Its all the fault of the coup" LOL
Discussion 29 : 18/09/2012 at 09:23 AM: Was there any mention of how the red shirt freedom fighters stormed into Chula hospital?
Discussion 30 : 18/09/2012 at 08:36 AM: "He said the paper should be treated as the most reliable and credible record of the events, although more facts could have been discovered if the power of the commission had not been limited." "The report, nearly 400 pages in total, was released to conclude the two-year term of the TRC, whose chairman was appointed by former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva." It seems to me that the second sentence epitomizes what is wrong with the first, and they are acknowledging that they were pressured not to reveal all, and I guess the pressure was from both sides. Over all the report tells little more than what was already published long ago in every newspaper. It does compile it all in one place and confirms what was already thought, but little else.
Discussion 31 : 18/09/2012 at 08:24 AM: 'Soldiers used many live rounds in their operations.' 'The CRES deployed a number of war weapons and equipment in its operations ..' Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak's troops also used live bullets and deployed war weapons against protestors. Syria's Al Assad is doing the same currently. The world leaders always have condemned these so-called autocrats' actions.
Discussion 32 : 18/09/2012 at 08:10 AM: genii Dis #8 , Wasn`t it you 2 days ago , saying that you couldn`t understand all the flooding as it "hasn`t rained up north for a few days now" ? Yingluck obviously wasn`t to concerned either , going to NY and all ? Thanks for enlighting us all to taxsin/yingluck/ptp`s "dam release assisted flood" smoke screen and disgusting attempt at Amnesty by using trumped up charges against the cleanest PM that Thailand has ever known ? As per usual taxsin thinks , Thailand sinks , lower than ever this time !
Discussion 33 : 18/09/2012 at 08:01 AM: Does anyone else feel that this is all too suspicious , like a selfserving smoke screen and diversion from reality ? Like the assisted dam release flooding and yingluck going to NY , while the Bro`master has his last ditch attemp at Amnesty by having his "lies and retaliation commission" cook up some empty charges on AV and ST , after 2 years this is all they have ? taxsin/yingluck and their ptp must go !
Discussion 34 : 18/09/2012 at 07:46 AM: Discussion 6 : brilliant: The probe blamed both the red shirts and the military for the violence that resulted in at least 92 deaths. Arn`t they missing one minor detail ? --Its greedy maniac Thaksin fully blame (there was a peace dialogue to end protest but redleader were instructed via jatuclown phone call not to obey with government officials)
Discussion 35 : 18/09/2012 at 07:35 AM: "He said the paper should be treated as the most reliable and credible record of the events, although more facts could have been discovered if the power of the commission had not been limited" Quite simply put, nothing is ever given weight if the investigative body isn't allowed full access to do it's investigation in the first place. What they found out (that pretty much could be found out by a boyscout troop) was just a tip of the iceberg. But let's face it, neither side wants the truth, it would only end the blame game. It is kind of like the comments about "not finding any corruption in the government"...well how could you if you fire the person who is finding it.
Discussion 36 : 18/09/2012 at 07:35 AM: ..The TRC concluded that the protest organiser _ the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) _ was partly to blame for the violence. Of course, they've support from UDD Seh Daeng's red army. Soldiers wont be bringing war weapons IF they werent live M79 shoots at them. Soldiers were officials to occupy the protest site while redshits protesters were Outlaws(more voilent than the yellowshits). ...2010 violence was the result of a series of conflicts which began during the government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.. Because of his power greed, his lust of money, his abuse of authority.. while series of skype call to his redshits not to obey the securities.
Discussion 37 : 18/09/2012 at 07:25 AM: Proof is the key to any investigation or it simply becomes an opinionated cover up. Hopefully solid proof can be provided. The 92 deaths deserve that much.
Discussion 38 : 18/09/2012 at 07:18 AM: With so much hubris, half truths and dodgy evidence going around this report should be welcomed in order to clear things up and help clear the way forward, it seems balanced to me, other interpretations I've seen are quite damning on the army, but it confirms what most sensible opinion already knew, both sides are culpable. The responses are interesting though; TRC chairman (telling it like it is): 'Thaksin should stay out of politics' (in double speak: he had a hand in instigating it) Army chief: take us to court then. UDD's Weng: denial, denial, denial (of Black shirts) Dems: We welcome and accept the report Yingluck: I'll appoint a committee to look in to it.
Discussion 39 : 18/09/2012 at 07:11 AM: The probe blamed both the red shirts and the military for the violence that resulted in at least 92 deaths. Arn`t they missing one minor detail ?
Discussion 40 : 18/09/2012 at 06:56 AM: ringmaster D2 : You write about unarmed protesters. Which protests are you referring to? Obviously a different one to which this report is referring. Apart from the armed men in black, red shirts were armed also, just surf YouTube and you will find many sightings of this. If they were unarmed how did policemen and military officers die? Did they kill themselves? If you are going to contribute to this thread, at least be factual.
Discussion 41 : 18/09/2012 at 06:33 AM: The Red Shirt story from the beginning has been that they did not have any weapons and that they were peaceful demonstrators and victims. Everything was the Army's and the Democrats' fault. Jatuporn, Natthawut, Weng, Thaksin, etc., will surely continue to tell their story ad infinitum as they find integrity rather challenging; and because they think that the farmers will believe anything they say anyway. By doing so, I think that they will gradually erode their credibility in the eyes of the farmers, and that one day their Red Shirt Federation will unravel and disappear as it is not based on timeless principles.
Discussion 42 : 18/09/2012 at 05:44 AM: Dis 2 Unarmed protesters what about the killing of soldiers by the men in black ,apart from anything else i take it the flag under you profile is your country ,hahahahahahaha you have to look at your countries history before you point a finger at any country in the world for killing unarmed protesters, and your fruit loop government history on doing things that are at the least dodgy.
Discussion 43 : 18/09/2012 at 04:33 AM: In Kanit’s own words, the inquiry was "not aimed at finding who should be held responsible and to punish, but to establish the facts and educate Thai society.” This report actually confirms the widespread suspicion that the investigation only embodies an attempt to silence criticisms on the massacre by the Thai military. Can anyone imagine that they would be educating Thai society about the army's role in shooting unarmed protesters - this time - or any of the other times in the last 40 years?
Discussion 44 : 18/09/2012 at 03:52 AM: Reports such as this seldom provide any type of closure nor do they make either side feel that their position was given adequate consideration. I would have been surprised if the conclusions had not been as even handed as they were given the desire to let this episode begin to extinguish itself. I, and I hope many others, will be able to live with this decision and move on.

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