BANGKOK, 19 August 2011 – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has encouraged related authorities to bring light to the 169 suspicious bodies found in the eastern province of Rayong upon a rumour that they were killed in the military crackdown on the UDD protesters.
UDD Secretary-General and Pheu Thai party-listed MP Natthawut Saikua stated that UDD core leaders are monitoring the news report by coordinating information exchange with local UDD leaders in Rayong.
The secretary-general noted that he personally did not want to conclude too soon that the 169 bodies were people killed in the military crackdown against the UDD protest last year because it was still unclear where the bodies were taken from.
Mr Natthawut said this issue should be clarified speedily as it might be used as a political ploy and therefore would not be useful for anyone. He voiced his confidence that the police would be able to verify identities of the bodies soon and he would ask for progress if nothing was heard in one or two days.
Meanwhile, UDD Acting Chairperson Thida Thavornsret urged the authorities to investigate this issue seriously. She refused to conclude if the bodies were UDD supporters or not but she believed that the number of people killed in the UDD protest last year should be more than 92.
UDD key leader and Pheu Thai party-listed MP Medical Doctor Weng Tojirakarn announced that he would bring this issue to Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung and National Police Chief Police General Wichean Potephosree for further investigation.
