December 7, 2004

Tak Bai detainees on goodwill trip

WASSANA NANUAM

Songkhla _ A total of 129 Tak Bai protesters currently detained for rehabilitation will leave today for a five-province field trip before their release on Dec 12.

The government has provided one million baht to fund the trip from Dec 7-11 to Bangkok, Chon Buri, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai.

The highlights include a visit to Nakhon Ratchasima's Air Force Wing and Chiang Mai Zoo.

The trip is part of a rehabilitation programme designed to dispel bitter feelings towards the security forces following the Tak Bai tragedy.

The detainees fall into what the military describes as a ``grey group'' as they did not instigate the riot but could not prove they were bystanders either.

But, given tragic events, several are ready to forgive but not forget.

``One of the protesters was shot and he dropped dead right in front of me. So the beating I took is almost nothing [in comparison]. But I'll never forget it,'' said Mahama Duereh, 32.

Abdulloh Bue-sa, 21, said he has good memories and had a good rapport with the 14 trainers while detained at the camp. e wants to run a coffee and roti stall after he is released _ skills he learned during his 42-day rehabilitation.

``But I'll never forget that day _ the day people were killed right before my eyes. The day I was buried under piles of people,'' he said.

Suhaimee Heng, 26, feels that being at the protest site was a mistake.

Mr Suhaimee, who carried a banner at the protest reading ``We Want Justice,'' said he was beaten unconscious and woke up at Ingkhayutthaboriharn army camp.

``I went there just to see what was happening. A friend told me to hold the banner for him and I just did. It was a mistake to be there,'' he said.

Lt-Col Uthai Rungsang, chief of the rehabilitation programme, said that he hopes care and understanding will help the detainees forget.

``The incident has left a mark on their hearts. With understanding, love and care, they will someday forget,'' he said.

Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, director of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command, also urged the detainees to think carefully before they take part in a protest during his visit. He also told the detainees the military was sorry for the incident and would try its best to use peaceful means to handle conflicts.