January 26, 2005

Top officers face Tak Bai inquiry

WASSANA NANUAM

The Defence Ministry has set up a panel to investigate the roles of

three army officers in the Oct 26 crackdown on demonstrators at Tak Bai

police station in Narathiwat last year that led to 85 deaths.

Defence Minister Sumpun Boonyanun recently signed an order to set up

the panel, led by Gen Kasemchart Naresseni, chief adviser to the defence

minister, to investigate Lt-Gen Pisarn Wattanawongkeeree, Fourth Army

commander, Maj-Gen Sinchai Nutsathit, deputy Fourth Army commander, and

Maj-Gen Chalermchai Wirunphet, commander of the 5th Infantry Division,

after an independent inquiry led by Pichet Sunthornpipit concluded they

mishandled the situation.

Gen Kasemchart said his six-member panel held its first meeting

yesterday before leaving for Tak Bai to make further inquiries and to

question the three officers in detail before making any decisions.

``The independent committee [led by Mr Pichet] has already made its

ruling after completing its fact-finding mission. The probe was not for

punishment or pointing out what wrong was done by those involved. My

panel will find out if they were reckless,'' he said.

Gen Kasemchart, however, said it was too early to say if the three

officers would face disciplinary action. If they were found to have

acted recklessly, actions taken against them could range from being put

under probation to dismissal, he said.

The adviser to the defence minister said he was unsure how long the

investigation wold take.

``I will try to finish it before the mid-year military reshuffle in

April in case a new Fourth Army commander needs to be named. If we

cannot make it in time, Maj-Gen Khwanchart Klaharn, the deputy Fourth

Army chief, can remain as acting [Fourth Army] commander,'' he said.

Gen Kasemchart said there were still differences of opinion among

Defence Minister Sumpun Boonyanun, Southern Border Provinces

Peace-building Command director Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri and army chief

Gen Pravit Wongsuwan of who between Lt-Gen Mana Prachakchit, an army

adviser, and Maj-Gen Khwanchart was most suitable for the post.

Gen Pravit said he would wait for the Kasemchart panel results before

considering the matter further.

``Personally, I think Maj-Gen Khwanchart is suitable,'' he said.

A source said Gen Sumpun and Gen Sirichai favoured Maj-Gen Mana.