‘Thawee’ throws questions to the National Police Chief and Narathiwat Commander regarding the Tak Bai case that is nearing its statute of limitations – the suspect is outside the country.
Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, spoke about the arrest warrants for those involved in the Tak Bai case, after confusion arose over whether or not arrest warrants had been issued. He said that the court would have to be asked, as it was the authority of the Narathiwat Provincial Court. As for the parliament, he was informed that Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, had already received a letter from the court to coordinate. The Speaker of the House gave details to the court, saying that Section 125 was a section that had never been in the constitution before. In cases where citizens sue MPs or Senators, it is the court’s authority to issue arrest warrants and the case can be prosecuted according to the principles. Meanwhile, the government, police, and law enforcement agen
cies will comply with the court’s warrants. If the court issues an arrest warrant, they must track down and arrest within the statute of limitations.
In the case, the police are following up. As for the details of those involved in the case who are abroad, I don’t know. I would like the police to clarify, especially Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimol, the national police chief, or the Narathiwat provincial police commander, because if the court issues an arrest warrant, it must be sent to the police.
The reporter asked that in the short time before the statute of limitations expired, but the process still had various steps, he thought that if the statute of limitations expired, would it have an impact on the area? Pol. Col. Thawee said that everyone in the area was concerned. He believed that those who were issued arrest warrants in the Tak Bai case, which according to the Thai justice process, the court has not yet made a decision, are still considered innocent. If they enter the court process, he would like them t
o go to that point. It is what the people expect. As for how the court will decide, that is another matter. As for government officials, they must follow up, as well as the Ministry of Justice, which has already assigned support units because it is a matter that may affect the feelings of people in the area. In this regard, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, has urged them to perform their duties as usual. If police officers receive an arrest warrant, they must track down and arrest them. The court has set a date for October 15, 2024. We will have to wait and see.
However, in the feelings of the victims, it can be seen that the officials are in neutral, especially those involved as MPs, which may cause the statute of limitations on the case to expire. Pol. Col. Thawee said that as far as he knew, there was no arrest warrant and he did not come to file a complaint with the police. Some of the people who filed complaints with the police were about 7-8 people who the prosecutor ordered to be prose
cuted. Those were the ones who carried out the actions, so the police had to go and arrest them.
Source: Thai News Agency