Thread: Exclusive: Probe reveals Thai troops' role in civilian deaths

Factbox: Details of Thai probes into civilian deaths
(Compiled by Bangkok Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Marshall)
Fri Dec 10, 2010

(Reuters) - Leaked state documents show Thailand's military played a larger role in the killing of civilians during political unrest in Bangkok this year than officials have acknowledged.

A preliminary state probe, seen by Reuters, concluded Thai special forces positioned on an elevated railway track fired into the grounds of a temple where several thousand protesters had taken refuge on May 19. Six people were killed there.

Investigations into another case on April 10 indicated the shot that killed Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was covering a protest in Bangkok's old quarter, probably came from the gun of a Thai soldier.

Below are the key findings of the two probes conducted by the Department of Special Investigation and seen by Reuters.

Officials stress the investigations are not complete.

- - - -

TEMPLE KILLINGS, MAY 19

Wat Prathum Wanaram, close to the Ratchaprasong commercial district occupied by demonstrators for seven weeks, was designated a safe zone for civilians. Several thousand protesters sought refuge there after troops started the offensive to evict the demonstrators.

Thailand's military denied for several months that troops were stationed on the elevated Skytrain rail tracks directly in front of the temple. The government said shadowy militants were to blame for the killings.

The key findings of the report are:

-- Six people in the temple compound were shot dead. The report gave no figures for the number of people shot and wounded.

-- Multiple witnesses heard gunfire coming from the overhead tracks and saw people in camouflage outfits pointing assault rifles at the temple.

-- One man said he saw gunmen on the Skytrain tracks firing into a medical tent and saw two people who had been shot dead.

-- One man who was hiding under a car in the temple grounds said he was shot at four or five times by men in military fatigues stationed on the tracks before he was helped to safety by a Buddhist monk.

-- Many people fled to the temple when gunshots were heard coming from a shopping area secured by troops. One man was seen falling to the floor and later died.

-- No civilian witnesses interviewed reported seeing gunmen inside the temple compound. One witness said he saw five or six unknown men on the road in front of the temple, dressed in black and carrying rifles. He said they shot and killed one of his co-workers and burned his body.

-- Autopsies revealed the six people killed at the temple were all killed by high velocity bullets. Bullets of the M855 type were found in the bodies of four of the victims. The type that killed the other two people was unknown. The autopsies showed the trajectory of three of the fatal shots came from above, or "top to bottom", and two were classed as "bottom to top". For two of the victims, no witnesses saw them killed.

-- Military personnel interviewed in the report said special forces troops were on the railtrack and were armed with M-16 assault rifles. They said they were equipped with M855 bullets.

-- Troops interviewed said they fired warning shots at walls and over the heads of people within the temple compound, and that they acted in line with the rules of engagement. They said their shots were fired around 6 p.m. Witnesses and video footage showed the fatal temple shootings took place around the same time.

-- One soldier said a gunmen was shooting at them from inside the compound and he returned fire. Another soldier said he was informed his seven-man team was fired at by armed men inside the temple compound.

-- One soldier said he spotted black-clad gunmen beneath the rail tracks and shot at them.

-- Troops on the Skytrain track provided cover fire for officers on the ground following a request for backup.

-- The report recommended further police investigation into the temple deaths. It concluded: "There is a reasonable amount of facts, evidence and witness accounts to believe that (three) deaths resulted from security officials' actions on duty."

- - - -

DEATH OF REUTERS CAMERAMAN HIRO MURAMOTO, APRIL 10

Muramoto, a 43-year-old Japanese cameraman working for Thomson Reuters in Tokyo, was filming clashes between red shirt demonstrators and troops near Bangkok's Democracy Monument when he was killed by a high velocity bullet to the chest.

The Thai authorities have come under pressure from Japan to provide details about how Muramoto was killed and only recently acknowledged he may have been shot by security forces.

The key findings of the report are:

-- Police at the scene said a heated standoff with hundreds of protesters in darkness led to troops firing into the air followed by bursts of shooting and sporadic blasts. Chaos ensued. Many people were injured and sent to hospital.

-- A soldier, who was slightly wounded, said he was informed troops had come under fire from M-79 grenades and many were hurt by shrapnel. Senior officers held a meeting to plan a retreat and an explosive landed close to them, killing one soldier and the commanding officer. The soldier said retreating troops were attacked with grenades and by protesters with wooden staves and rocks. He said he had seen Muramoto filming that night, but did not specify a time.

-- A demonstrator saw Muramoto move away from the troops toward where protesters were stood, close to a school. He saw "a flash from a gun barrel of a soldier", then watched Muramoto, who was among the demonstrators, fall after he was shot while filming the troops from afar. He said he did not know who killed him.

-- One man standing within a meter of Muramoto saw a soldier pointing a rifle in his direction. He turned around and saw the journalist fall backwards onto the pavement while holding a large camera. He carried Muramoto to a nearby rescue vehicle and said he did not know from where exactly the bullet that entered the victim's chest was fired. However, it did not come from the direction of demonstrators.

-- Multiple witnesses saw Muramoto carried away by protesters and placed in a rescue truck. One said the clash ended soon after, when protesters called on troops to stop shooting, because people had been killed.

-- The report concluded: "There is a reasonable amount of facts and evidence to believe that the death of Hiro was due to an act of the security forces who said they were acting according to official duty."

reuters.com

-- The report concluded: "There is a reasonable amount of facts and evidence to believe that the death of Hiro was due to an act of the security forces who said they were acting according to official duty."

and there you have it .

Originally Posted by Mid

Originally Posted by chitown

Originally Posted by Mid

Welcome to BURMA

I said this long ago and several posters here ridiculed me for the comparison.

that you did ,

here's some history , make of it what you will .

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...d-myanmar.html

to compare the current struggle to Burma is shameful. I understand trailer trash brain dead American redneck like Chitown might be confused but you mid should know better. You are insulting the struggle of the Burmese with that comparison. Do you even know what's going on over there beyond copy/paste to make such a simplistic comparison ? shame on you,

MCOT English News

On Monday 13th December 2010, [at]MCOT_Eng said:

DSI chief denies investigation report on death of Japanese cameraman during protest was leaked; Red Shirt leader Jatuporn's information on case is not similar to DSI report; Japanese ambassador understands after briefing

^ I'm quite sure that the Japanese ambassador understands perfectly...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...s-not-from-dsi

DSI: UDD's reports not from DSI

• Published: 13/12/2010 at 04:08 PM
• Online news: Local News

The purported DSI investigation report about those killed during the political violence in April and May distributed to the media by red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan does not match any of the reports in the Department of Special Investigation's own files, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said Monday.



Mr Jatuporn, a Puea Thai Party list MP and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core member, claimed last week he had received copies of DSI investigation reports from police officers who are red-shirt supporters.

Mr Jatuporn claimed the documents revealed that soldiers had a hand in the killing of protesters at Wat Pathumwanaram at Ratchaprasong intersection and other individuals killed during the violence, including Japanese photo-journalist Hiroyuki Muramoto, who was shot dead near Khok Woa intersection on April 10.

However, Mr Tharit said he had examined the document produced by Mr Jatuporn and the document does not match any documents held by the DSI.

The DSI chief also said that his department had spoken with representatives of the Japanese embassy at least five times to brief them on the DSI's findings on the death of the Japanese journalist. He said the embassy had been satisfied with DSI's information.

Mr Tharit said it is not possible to make the DSI's reports public yet, because they contain some confidential information and there are still no verdicts in the cases.

A number of red-shirts gathered in front of the Japanese embassy this morning to demand justice from the Thai government for the 91 people, including Japanese photo-journalist Hiroyuki Muramoto, who died in the violence during the April-May protests.

The red-shirts, led by Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, leader of the June 24 Democracy Group, first met at the statue of King Rama VI at Lumpini Park before moving to the Japanese embassy.

They raised aloft pictures of the Japanese photographer, employed by Reuters, while marching to the embassy.



Muramoto was killed in the clash between government and red-shirts at Khok Woa intersection on April 10. It has not been clearly established who was responsible for his death.

The red-shirts said they wanted to give the embassy evidence about who shot Muramoto.

Red paper pigeons were distributed by the protesters. The activity was closely watched by police.

more redtards manipulation, by the usual suspects

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

the cover up over the reuters reporter's death is unlikely to make reuters happy

I look forward to Wikileaks revealing all, don't you?

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1038435

Army Plays down Red Shirt Accusations

UPDATE : 13 December 2010

The supreme commander has refused to comment on the red shirt's allegation that the military shot and killed anti government protesters during the riots earlier this year.

He believes the public will fully understand the event eventually.

Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabatara has denied any knowledge on speculations that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will soon submit information on the dispersal of the May and April protests to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe next month.

The general declined to commented on an accusation made by red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan who is claiming that the army had shot and killed anti-government protesters during the crackdown.

General Songkitti merely responded by saying he refused to make groundless accusations against anybody.


Nonetheless, he asserted that soldiers strictly adhered to the law and that the public will eventually fully understand the event.

In regards to the red shirt evidence on the 89 protest-related casualties that was submitted to the Japanese Embassy, the supreme commander revealed the Japanese Embassy has never questioned military officials on the cause of death of the Japanese Reuters cameraman.

He also commented on the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation or CRES's consideration to lift the emergency decree, by stating that it is the responsibility of the prime minister to determine whether to continue to enforce the emergency decree.

Nonetheless, he is confident security operations will continue smoothly even if the decreed is lifted.

As for security measures during the New Year, General Songkitti has expressed full confidence as forces have been assigned to safeguard key venues.

He has urged the public to relax and enjoy the holiday as he is confident no violence will occur during the festive period.

When asked about a planned red shirt rally on December 19, General Songkitti said the rally can be held if it is peaceful and does not violate the rights of others.

However, he has called on all Thais to unite to allow the country to move forward.

Meanwhile, Region 1 Army Commander Lieutenant General Udomdet Setabut added that the emergency law will enable security officials to perform their duties effectively and without interfering in the public's daily life.

Udomdet also criticized the red-shirt's decision to submit unauthorized reports on the protesters' deaths to the Japanese Embassy since the investigation has not been finalized.

He went on to insist that the soldiers did not harm any civilians and the death of the Japanese cameraman must be carefully investigated.

If you think back they lied from the outset about using live ammunition.

Lies, lies and more lies. Just boring now.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

However, he has called on all Thais to unite to allow the country to move forward.

Be good little doggies as your master commands of you.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010...-30144358.html

DSI says shooting of Japanese photographer still unclear

By The Nation
Published on December 14, 2010


Details given to embassy came from red shirts, 'not DSI findings

The head of the Department of Special Investigation disputed claims yesterday by a Pheu Thai MP adisputed claims a red-shirt activist made to the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok on the death of a Japanese photographer during the anti-government rallies earlier this year.

DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit, as chief investigator into the shooting, said initial verification found the version of events claimed by Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan did not match the DSI's findings and could not have been leaked by it.

Jatuporn had claimed leaked DSI reports to the Royal Thai Police had revealed the Japanese cameraman was shot by a military officer.

Tharit said the DSI's investigation into the deaths had not finished and it was too soon to conclude who were the wrongdoers. Pre-judgement of the case would only cause society damage.

Seven months after the shootings, the DSI said it still had inadequate information about the deaths of three people at Pathumwanaram Temple and Reuters' cameraman Hiro Muramoto, and has asked the police to help.

If the police find any involvement of state officials, they must file the case with the court before sending it back to the DSI to become a criminal case, Tharit said.

Tharit also said representatives from the Japanese Embassy had held five or six meetings with the DSI on the investigation.

Somyos Preuksakasemsuk, who leads the June 24 Group, and about 100 red shirt protesters yesterday went to the Japanese Embassy to submit information and call for justice for the over 90 deaths during the March till May rallies.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the more Jatuporn and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra tried to attack the government, the more scandals from Thaksin's era were being dug up.

Suthep said besides the DSI and the Royal Thai Police, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee led by Kanit na Nakorn would also be involved.

Following announcements by fugitive red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong and his attempts to mobilise support, Suthep said it was the government's duty to make the world understand the events.

New red-shirt leader Thida Tawornsate Tojirakarn yesterday went to see Kanit to give moral support and urge transparency in his committee's work . She also asked him to push for bail for detained red shirts, formerly a responsibility of the Justice Department. The ministry had sent officers from the Rights and Liberties Protection Department to visit them in jail, but did not discuss bail.

Kanit said his committee had already suggested the government consider temporary release for the red shirts, but it was up to the court to grant bail. He said his panel does its job freely and fairly and had faced no interference from any group so far.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1038428

Deputy PM Undaunted by Red-shirt MP's Unveiling of Riot Crackdown Info

UPDATE : 13 December 2010

The deputy prime minister warns the red-shirt MP's planned handover of documents about the deaths during the May red-shirt riots will rebound and hurt the ousted premier who has been accused of violating human rights while in power.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban said the government will not be affected by the plan by Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan, also red-shirt core leader, to provide Reuters news agency with the documents he claims is an investigation into the killing of six people in a temple and a Japaneses cameraman during the May crackdown on the protests.


Suthep cited Jatuporn's move will lead to delving into more human rights problems while fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in office, in which thousands died in extrajudicial killings.

Suthep also said the findings on the killing of people in a temple will be disclosed to the public after the investigation process is completed.

He said he is not sure if the documents Jatuporn claimed were the investigation reports of the Department of Special Investigation are authentic.

He also said the DSI's investigation into the cases concerning the red-shirt riots is not easy, but said he has already asked the department to complete its work as soon as possible.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

the red-shirt riots

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...illings-report

Tharit contests killings report

• Published: 14/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Information submitted by red shirt leaders to the Japanese embassy to back their claim that government forces killed a Japanese cameraman and other participants in the April and May protests does not match the findings of the Department of Special Investigation, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit says.

Members of the June 24 Democracy group hold a blow-up photo of Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto as they march to the Japanese embassy yesterday to hand over part of a claimed leaked Department of Special Investigation report into the April-May riots. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

"I can confirm that the details from the alleged leak [said to be from the police] and our own information are not the same," Mr Tharit said yesterday.

He said the investigations into the deaths were continuing and the DSI had yet to reach any conclusions. Legal procedures aimed at uncovering the truth should be allowed to take their course.

Puea Thai Party list MP and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leader Jatuporn Prompan claimed to have received a leaked secret DSI report which indicated that troops were probably responsible for the deaths of 13 of the 90 people killed in Bangkok during the red shirt rallies.

Among the 13 were Japanese cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto of the Reuters news agency who was shot on April 10 at Khok Wua intersection and three people found dead after May 19 at Wat Pathum Wanaram.

Reuters also revealed on Friday that it had seen a leaked report from the DSI into the clashes between the red shirts and government forces which raised new questions about the fate of those found dead inside the temple.

Mr Tharit said the DSI was duty-bound to determine the truth about the riots in April and May which involved acts of terrorism and the use of weapons to attack civilians and members of the government forces.

He said police had forwarded the results of their findings into the deaths, including the three deaths at the temple and that of the cameraman, to the DSI.

But the DSI had found the investigation into the deaths by police was incomplete and additional evidence was required so the DSI sent the cases back for further investigation.

Mr Tharit said the cases would be sent back to the DSI and there would be no need to submit them to the court if police found that government forces were not involved in the deaths.

But if the inquiries found the deaths were caused by state forces, the cases would be sent to court.

Mr Tharit said it was not Mr Jatuporn's business to hand over any evidence and information related to the death of the Japanese cameraman to the Japanese embassy.

Meanwhile, new red shirt leader Thida Thavornseth met yesterday with the state-appointed Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to seek help for detained red shirt leaders and supporters and to give it advice on how to better reach out to the group.

Military snipers and special forces against civilians, I'm loving it

I'm confused....so, the DSI report is alleged to be different from the one "leaked"...

So either Jatuporn released some bogus item or something else is going on....

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1038465

Red-shirt Leader Makes New Riot Deaths Claim

UPDATE : 14 December 2010

A key red-shirt leader claims there is an army general gathering information and evidence on the killings of civilians during the May riots to blackmail other fellow officers and prevent another coup.

He also insists that his earlier claim about protest-related deaths matches the authorities' investigation results.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan insisted that the report on the deaths of protesters during the April and May riots that was submitted to the Japanese Embassy matches the results of an investigation being carried out by the Department of Special Investigation, or DSI. However, the report's details were not taken directly from the DSI.

Jatuporn claimed that DSI Director General Tharit Pengdit had admitted that the information was from the same report and Jatuporn is suspicious why Tharit announced yesterday that the findings did not match.

Nonetheless, the red-shirt leader is planning to release further information on December 15.


He also claimed he has information on an army general with a name initial T or D who has launched a private investigation into the killings of protesters in order to blackmail other army officers and prevent a future coup.

Meanwhlie, earlier today, Jatuporn traveled to the Criminal Court for a hearing into the defamation case filed against him by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over his accusation that the premier has ordered a massacre of red-shirt protesters.

Umm, errr, what?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

I'm confused....so, the DSI report is alleged to be different from the one "leaked"...

So either Jatuporn released some bogus item or something else is going on....

I thought they said the leaked report was a police report..not DSI..the latter says they're still investigating (you know, like still investigating the PAD's actions from a few years back..)

About time the Japanese and the Italians sent in interpol.

could it be that Juthaporn is lying again ?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...n-s-allegation

Prayuth ignores Jatuporn’s allegation

• Published: 15/12/2010 at 11:06 AM
• Online news:

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Wednesday that he was not concerned about the accusation by Puea Thai list MP Jatuporn Prompan that the army was involved in the killing of some of the 91 people who died during the April-May red-shirt protest.

Gen Prayuth said Mr Jatuporn, a co-leader of the anti-government United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), has no credibility at all in his eyes.

He will let the cases be decided by the justice system. The army will not issue any clarifications.

Asked about the lifting of the emergency decree from Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, the army chief said the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) will submit its assessment to the prime minister for consideration early next week.

Gen Prayuth admitted that he was personally worried about possible violence during the New Year festivities. To ensure peace and order, the Internal Security Act would be imposed if the emergency decree were revoked before the New Year, he added.

He called for cooperation from all parties in preventing bad people from inciting violence.

“Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has discussed a contingency plan with Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and the government is prepared to re-enact the emergency decree any time if the violence re-occurs,” he said.

DSI assures report on journalist’s death not leaked to Pheu Thai : National News Bureau of Thailand

DSI assures report on journalist’s death not leaked to Pheu Thai


BANGKOK, 14 December 2010 (NNT) - Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Director-General Tharit Pengdit has assured that the intelligence report into the death of the Japanese reporter during violence protest in April was not leaked to the Pheu Thai Party.

Mr Tharit said he had already checked with the National Police Headquarters, which confirmed that the document in possession of Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan did not match the findings of the DSI; he, therefore, concluded that the information had not been leaked to the MP.

Mr Jatuporn earlier announced that the investigation report on the death of the journalists had been leaked to the Pheu Thai Party. He also threatened to expose it to foreign press.

Tharit confirmed that Japanese diplomats had met with DSI officials and had been repeatedly informed of the investigation procedures conducted by the Department. He believed the diplomats had enough information and more details than Mr Jatuporn. Mr Tharit said the Japanese officials were very pleased with the work of the DSI.

The Director-General also asked all sides not to jump to the conclusion on the 89 people killed during the clashes in April-May as the cases were still under investigation.