By Anadolu Staff
On Friday, Thailand commemorated the 20th anniversary of the tragic Tak Bai massacre, with calls from citizens for the government to hold the perpetrators accountable, according to local media reports.
Survivors and relatives of the 78 Muslims who died participated in rallies in Tak Bai and various other locations, as reported by the Bangkok Post. Demonstrators displayed banners and chanted slogans demanding justice for the victims.
Approximately 30 cyclists also made their way to Ingkayutthaboriharn Army Camp in Pattani, having pedaled from the rally site in Tak Bai, located about 85 kilometers (52.8 miles) away, to advocate for justice.
“We have ridden our bikes from Tak Bai in remembrance of those who died during transport to the camp,” said Anus Pongprasert, a representative of the cyclists.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued an apology on behalf of the government.
Additionally, the 20-year statute of limitations expired on Friday, resulting in the dismissal of murder charges against seven suspects, including the recently resigned former ruling Pheu Thai Party MP Gen. Pisal Wattanawongkuri, who was the commander of the Fourth Army Region at the time.
The Tak Bai massacre occurred on Oct. 25, 2004, following the arrest of six village defense volunteers in the southern Narathiwat province on Oct. 19, suspected of providing their government-issued firearms to insurgents.
The arrests sparked mass protests, drawing hundreds to the Tak Bai police station, which led to a violent crackdown on demonstrators. Security forces detained dozens and transported them to a military base in nearby Pattani province, where 78 Muslims suffocated while being transported in army trucks to the base.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid