NHRC condemns brutal slaying of family of four in Narathiwat
The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) yesterday condemned a brutal attack in the deep South which left four people including an eight-year-old boy dead as inhumane.
A manhunt was also under way for the gunmen.
NHRC member Angkhana Neelapaijit said the culprits deserved the condemnation, adding that taking the lives of innocent people was designed to stir up public fear and create mistrust between Buddhists and Muslims.
Ms Angkhana’s remarks came shortly after the family of four were shot dead on their way to a school in Narathiwat’s Rueso district yesterday.
They were killed on a local road in Ban Dhamma Charoen of tambon Khok Sato about 7.40am.
Somchai Thongjan, 47, an assistant head of Ban Sri Pinyo village, was driving his pickup truck and taking his two children to school when gunmen ambushed them.
The attack killed Somchai; Rasika Daduang, 39, his wife; Son Thongjan, 42, his sister-in-law; and Thanakrit Thongjan, his eight-year-old son.
An elder child, Sirapassorn Thongjan, 12, was severely wounded and rushed to a local hospital. Somchai’s six-year-old niece, Yanisa Srisuwan, suffered injuries.
Officials found more than 20 spent assault rifle cartridges and a pistol at the scene. They suspect separatists were responsible for the attack.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered security authorities to boost their efforts to track down the attackers.
He said the prime minister had also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and told authorities to provide assistance for them.
The number of violent incidents in the deep South has declined recently. However, the latest brutal incident could affect the local economy as businessmen and travellers are afraid for their safety.
“The government is concerned over the safety of locals in the South. Military, police and local administrative officers must work together to restore public confidence,” Lt Gen Sansern said.
He also called on local residents to be on the lookout for people acting suspiciously, urging them to inform authorities if they had useful information relating to the case.
Gen Prayut yesterday said the latest attack in Narathiwat had nothing to do with peace talks with southern insurgency groups.
The premier also believed there were solutions available to the southern violence as the talks were under way.
In Yala, Nimu Makajae, a respected Islamic leader in the province, yesterday urged Muslim residents to pray for innocent people.
He also expressed his deep condolences over the attack to the families of the victims, saying the incident also affected the peace and safety of local people which had gradually been boosted by peace talks with separatist groups earlier.
Mr Nimu also believed the gunmen responsible were people who clung to the idea of separatism so the attack aimed to create conflicts.
Also yesterday, Panu Uthairat, secretary of the special government delegation to the deep South, represented local authorities in the region to apologise for their failure to keep the public safe.
Mr Panu said authorities have stepped up efforts to hunt down the suspects in connection with the attack, adding he believed they would be arrested soon.
The Songkhla Provincial Court yesterday handed down a nearly 38-year jail term to each of four defendants convicted of being involved in a string of bomb attacks at Hat Yai police station and a convenience store in Songkhla on May 6, 2014.
The four are San Kutae, 39; So Hama, 35, both Pattani residents; Nowa Lohyi, 29, from Songkhla; and Ding Aman, 27.