BANGKOK, Sept 24 – Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha today called on the public to refrain from criticising state officials charged by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for involvement in the deaths of 11 of 98 persons killed in the 2010 political unrest, saying a final court verdict should be the only judgment.
The DSI said earlier that it has sufficient evidence to substantiate allegations against state officials in the case. During the political upheaval in Bangkok from March to May 2010, the government-authorised Commission on Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) was given peace-keeping responsibility to maintain order in the capital.
Asked if the army felt discouraged by the DSI allegations given its duty to act, Gen Prayuth replied: “The question is clear in itself. What more do I have to answer?”
Asked again if state officials on duty during the unrest are still covered by immunity provisions while under CRES orders, the army chief said he believed so but “you’d rather not ask this question now.”
“Let’s wait for the court trial. The army must protect [the morale of] its strength and reputation,” he said.
