On Sunday, November 2, 2008, General Pisarn Wattanawongkiri presided over the Royal Kathin Ceremony for end of Buddhist Lent at Wat Dhammadharo in Canberra. In dress uniform, he was introduced (only in Thai) as the former Fourth Army Region commander and an “advisor” (or consultant?) to the Ministry of Defence (ผู้ช่วยที่ปรึกษากระทรวงกลาโหม).
General Pisarn lost his job as the region commander because of his handling of the Tak Bai Police Station protest on October 25, 2004, but although a government-established inquiry (a summary of its report is on The Nation website) found that he and two other officers were responsible for the deaths of at least 77 (some reports, 78 or 79) people in army trucks afterwards, he is still holding an official position. Another 6 or 7 people died outside the police station. General Pisarn was present throughout the entire incident, and can be seen in this video talking to interviewers at just after the 5-minute mark (in black beret and bullet-proof jacket). He can also be seen briefly at the start, before the shooting began.
Is he in Australia just to bring some robes from the Palace or in his capacity as ministerial advisor? Is he meeting with Australian army personnel or other officials? Can any New Mandala readers give more information?
3 responses so far ↓
1 Russell // Nov 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
There are examples in Europe where the perpetrators of similar crimes against humanity have been arrested on international warrants – the most notable being Pinochet of Chile, arrested on a Spanish warrant while in the UK. Could something similar not be arranged for this gentleman?
2 Frank G Anderson // Nov 4, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Those common men among us are not privy to the intricate arrangements made between governments and visiting dignitaries like this. However, this (The Thai seems to indicate he is an assistant to the MOD adviser, not the adviser himself) visit is likely dual purpose, as most are. Australia’s trade relations with Thailand, and its more strategic goals of ensuring a future with the larger Asia sphere means more to the country’s coffers than a few dead people in the south. Not to be callous, but when it comes to good relations based on money changing hands and possible differences based on legitimate criticism of human rights violations, one’s overall commercial interests will always come first.
3 bystander // Nov 7, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I thought Pallop (the car bomb meister) is the one calling the shot at the scene, and Paisarn is the fall guy, no?
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