The extrajudicial killings of three unarmed villagers in Narathiwat's Rangae district is a real tragedy.
The three innocent villagers -- Haphisee Mada-o, 24; Budeeman Malee, 26; and Manasee Sama-ae, 27 -- who were from Rangae district, were shot by soldiers attached to a paramilitary light infantry unit on Tawae Mountain on Dec 16. According to the army, the three men tried to enter a "restricted" zone on the mountain.
Unlike previous incidents, this time the army has been quick to offer apologies and compensation. According to the army, each bereaved family was offered 500,000 baht for the untimely deaths of the men who were family breadwinners. It is understood that the area where they were shot was where people go to gather wild plants.
The army chief and other high-level officials have pledged a fair trial for the soldiers concerned. They must keep their word.
According to the secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), Rear Adm Somkiat Pholprayoon, the compensation is "only the beginning" as officials are considering further assistance which is not regulated by state laws. The Fourth Army Region command earlier said it suspected the soldiers might have disobeyed an order not to search a nearby insurgent hideout without authorisation, which led to the armed clash on the border of Rangae and Cho Airong districts prior to the killings. There are reports that those involved in the killings "have surrendered".
The deaths have created an outcry. According to one southern activist, the three villagers were shot in the head, one by one, despite being unarmed.
Society needs to know the truth and be given assurances that the investigation will be fair. They also need to know that those in the wrong will face appropriate punishment. There is a belief that the army wants to wait until the fuss has died down, thereby continuing a culture of impunity seen in previous cases.
The case reminds many of the mysterious death of Abdulloh Esormusor, a 32-year-old suspected insurgent who fell into a coma while in custody at a Pattani military camp in August this year. The young man died shortly afterwards without regaining consciousness. The army and the Fourth Army Region Command denied the man had been tortured and they pledged a fair trial. Yet, no information on the progress of the investigation has been divulged.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has said his family would be compensated if Abdulloh was innocent, yet he fell short of saying who would be held accountable for his death.
The deputy prime minister seems not to understand that even if Abdulloh was part of the southern insurgency -- he had been implicated by some southern suspects -- the state was obliged to observe his basic rights, not apply violence or torture as is widely suspected.
With regard to the Tawae killings, it would be best if the army and the government agreed to recommendations by observers that the investigation be conducted publicly to ensure there is no cover-up and justice is served.
It's also necessary for the army to see the need for locals to access forests and find ways to accommodate their way of life.
The culture of impunity, seen following the Kreu Se and Tak Bai incidents among others, have fuelled violence in this restive region for too long. Unless the government abandons such a shameful culture, the chances of achieving peace in this region will remain slim.