Blasts prompt calls for tighter security
Human right activists issued statements yesterday condemning the twin bombings in Pattani on Tuesday that left at least 61 injured, and urged the government to act swiftly in bringing those responsible to justice.
Surapong Kongchantuk, chairperson of the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), said in a statement the bombings reflect the lax security measures in public places.
“We would like to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the violence. We condemn those who were behind the bomb attacks and who have caused such violence to civilians, including children and women,” the statement read.
The statement also demanded all armed groups refrain from encouraging armed violence to prevent further injuries, loss of innocent lives and damage to private and public property.
Champa Patel, director for Amnesty International Southeast Asia and the Pacific, condemned the attack on civilians and called on the authorities to immediately order an independent investigation.
He said the perpetrators must be brought to justice through fair trials and in line with international standards, without resorting to the death penalty.
All steps taken by the authorities to stop and prevent such attacks must respect Thailand’s obligations under international human rights laws, he added.
Unicef Thailand representative Thomas Davin also condemned the indiscriminate attacks.
“According to reports, children are among the dozens of people injured in the bomb attack on a large and busy shopping centre in Pattani, Thailand, this afternoon,” the Unicef statement read.
“Unicef condemns such indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, where children and their families are known to be present. No child’s life should ever be put at risk in this way. This is wholly unacceptable,” it continued.
Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch said the government should deal with extremists based on the rule of law and address the issues and problems that deeply concern Muslims living in the South.
Human Rights Commissioner Angkana Neelapaijit also extended her sympathies to the victims of the two blasts, which rung out at a Big C shopping mall on Tuesday afternoon.
Police believe they were timed at staggered intervals to inflict maximum damage. So far no casualties have been reported.
Ms Angkana said the government should marshal all its forces to locate and apprehend the culprits.
Ekkasit Kunanandhakul, president of the Employer’s Confederation of Thailand, said the body expressed its condolences to not only the victims but also the province, which is expected to suffer financially as such acts of terror can scare away investors and labourers.