NACC wants impeachment of Abhisit, Suthep over 2010 crackdown

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: The National Anti-Corruption Commission has unanimously resolved to kick off the process of impeaching former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for their alleged mishandling of the bloody break-up of a red-shirt rally in 2010.

The April-May crackdown on protesters left more than 90 people dead, mostly red-shirt members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, but also ordinary citizens.

Vicha Mahakhun, spokesman for the NACC, said yesterday that Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep did not review or adjust the tactics used by military personnel to disperse the demonstrators.

Neither did they order a halt to the operation.

The court concluded that many deaths were caused by the military campaign under their command.

Not only were unarmed protesters wounded and killed but also bystanders, including a boy, were killed.

These tragedies suggested wrongdoing not in keeping with the duties and positions of Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep and thus there were grounds to impeach them.

They will be asked to report to the NACC within 15 days to hear the charges. They will be given the opportunity to defend themselves by providing evidence and witness testimony.

As for other state officials who carried out their duties in the dispersal of the protesters, the NACC will look into whether they should also be held accountable.

As for possible criminal charges against Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep, that would be decided later.

There are cases where forensic examinations are still continuing, Mr Vicha said.

— Phuket Gazette Editors