BANGKOK – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has publicly apologized for the first time for the Tak Bai massacre of 2004, in which 78 Muslim protesters suffocated in military trucks after being detained by security forces. The incident remains one of the darkest chapters in Thailand’s history, symbolizing longstanding grievances in the country’s Muslim-majority southern provinces, where insurgency and conflict have persisted for decades.
Thaksin, who was premier at the time of the massacre, expressed his regret during his first visit to Thailand’s deep south in 19 years. He stated, “When I was prime minister, I had a strong intention to care for local people. If there was any mistake or any discontent caused by me, I would like to apologize.” His remarks came nearly four months after the statute of limitations expired, leading to the dismissal of murder charges against seven officials implicated in the tragedy.
The Tak Bai incident occurred on October 25, 2004, when Thai security forces dispersed a protest outside a police station in Narathiwat province. Seven protesters were killed by gunfire, and 78 others suffocated after being bound and piled face down in military trucks. The incident drew international condemnation and fueled the ongoing insurgency in Thailand’s southern border provinces, which have seen more than 7,000 deaths since 2004.
Anchana Heemmina, co-founder of Duay Jai, a Thai human rights group, acknowledged the significance of Thaksin’s statement, noting, “This is the first time he has publicly apologized. If he is sincere, he should also meet the victims’ families face to face.”
Despite the apology, the massacre continues to be a powerful symbol of state impunity and human rights abuses in the region, where emergency laws grant security forces broad powers and immunity. No Thai military or police officer has ever been jailed for extrajudicial killings or torture in the southern provinces, a fact that has fueled resentment and mistrust among local communities.
In August 2024, families of the victims filed a criminal case against seven officials, including a former army commander who is now a Member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai party, founded by Thaksin’s family. However, the case stalled when the officials failed to appear in court, and in October, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra – Thaksin’s daughter – confirmed that the statute of limitations could not be extended.
The Tak Bai massacre remains a deep wound in Thailand’s national consciousness, representing a painful history of military violence and political conflict. Thaksin’s apology, although seen as a positive step by some, has also sparked debate on whether words alone are sufficient without concrete actions to ensure justice and accountability.