Gen. Pisan, the defendant in the “Tak Bai case” who escaped from a court arrest warrant. Contest to resign Pheu Thai membership Before being expelled from the party – BBC News Thailand

General Pisan Wattanawongkiri, a list MP for the Thai Pheu Party (PAT), resigned from membership in the Thai Pheu Party on October 14 after fellow party members threatened to expel him from the party, from fleeing the “Tak Bai case” abroad until the court issued an arrest warrant, which will expire in the next 10 days.

The two leaders of the PAD Party are Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense as a member of the party’s strategic committee, and Mr. Sorawong Thianthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports. As the secretary of the party, it was PAD who confirmed General Pisan’s resignation from the party today (October 15) and reported to Mrs. Pae Thongthan Shinawatra, Prime Minister and leader of the party

The press release about General Pisan’s resignation came before the weekly meeting of Pheu Thai MPs in the afternoon, with some MPs preparing to propose that General Pisan be expelled from the party membership. because he damaged the party While another section agreed that this politician should resign from the party itself.

Mr. Phumtham said that the representative of Gen. Pisan to submit documents from yesterday (October 14), which is effective immediately. without previously informing any party leaders As for the purpose Let Gen. Pisan retired. He could not pay back, he asked General Pisan to come and ask for it. Because it was written in the book that he would return when his symptoms subsided. but time didn’t tell And I don’t know when I’ll come back because I haven’t spoken yet.

The reporter asked several times about the reason for General Pisan’s resignation. It is because of social pressure. or the party will ask you to leave Mr. Phumtham said he did not know because it was something he decided to explain to society like this. For us, we did our duty. He has already given orders to the Chief of Police and has seen pictures of the attack on Gen’s house. Pisan in Songkhla Province “Everything is considered according to the process. Our job is to bring you to justice.”

Mr. Sorawong confirmed that On behalf of the secretary-general of the party, I want General Pisan to come back and fight the case even though he has retired. I want you to go back to the process.

After the meeting of the Cabinet (Cabinet), Ms. Pae Thongthan Shinawatra answered reporters’ questions about pursuing General Pisan back to prosecution, saying that he must be left to the legal process. He received his resignation letter this morning.

“We would prefer to wait until the legal process continues. In fact, we have already given orders to the police,” said the Prime Minister.

As for whether the government will put extra pressure on General Pisan to come back and fight the case, said Ms. Pae Thongtarn, “Oh, this should be something that has already been done.”

The Narathiwat Regional Court on October 2 ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant for General Pisan in the “Tak Bai case”. The case will be considered closed. Due to the end of the 20 year statute of limitations for criminal cases on October 25.

General Pisan, who was the commander of the 4th Army Division, is one of those accused in the crimes of conspiring to kill other people, conspiring to try to kill other people murder, and conspiring to do bodily harm causing the death of others. and restraint and restraint causing death According to the Criminal Code, Section 288 in conjunction with Section 83, Section 288 in conjunction with Sections 80, 83, Section 310, paragraph two, in conjunction to Sections 290, 83 from the incident of spreading the complaint before Tak Bai Police. Station, Narathiwat Province on 25 October 2004 and following events. As a result, a total of 78 people died, known as the “Tak Bai case”.

The Narathiwat Regional Court accepted the case on 23 August 2024, before the first application examination was scheduled for 12 September, but none of the seven defendants appeared in court. This led to an arrest warrant being issued later.

As for General Pisan, the court had to issue a summons first. As they were MPs, they were granted special immunity under Section 125 of the Constitution, but it later became an arrest warrant. because of escape behavior

“The court has considered that on September 12, 2024, the first defendant, who is an MP, did not come to court even though there was a meeting in the House of Representatives on the appointed day. But it does not seem that he was present at the meeting. No problems reported No permission was obtained from the court to adjourn the case. Escape behavior can be considered. Issue an arrest warrant and have General Pisan prosecuted within the statute of limitations.” Thai PBS reported the Narathiwat Provincial Court’s order on October 2.

Among calls from opposition politicians, academics and relatives of those who died in the incident, for the PAD Party to bring General Pisan to court quickly before the case ends. Many Pheu Thai government leaders, such as Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham, said they could not contact Gen. Pisan I don’t know where I’m going. And this matter is personal. It’s not about the party.

However, it appears that General Pisan has sent a letter of leave from the meeting to the House of Representatives. citing illness as the reason and traveled abroad for treatment from 26 August – 30 October 2024, together with Mr. Pichet Muang Phan Vice President of the PAD Party Council signed the agreement.

Regarding the content of General Pisan’s letter resigning from membership of the PAD Party, it was said that as appeared in the news He was accused in a criminal case at the Narathiwat Regional Court. According to the events that happened in the year 2004 as mentioned, the reason now He is currently receiving treatment for his illness. and he is currently recovering By submitting a letter of resignation to the House of Representatives and it was approved according to rules

However, he was aware of the fact that efforts were made to move their cases. It will lead to the widening of conflict in society. And it is related to influencing the PAD party, of which he is a member of the party and has the position of MP, even if the PAD Party is not involved in the matter in any way.

“So I saw that so I was not affected by the Pheu Thai Party and the incident that happened. Therefore, I would like to resign from being a member of the Pheu Thai Party. At the same time, it is considered that there is a lack of membership as an MP so that it does not become a burden on the House of Representatives. From now on For the lawsuit that happened I will ask to come and explain myself when my illness subsides,” Gen. Pisan’s resignation letter states at the end.

As a result of the general’s resignation from being a member of the party, Mr. Khajit Chainikhom, a candidate for the 37th party list, will be promoted to continue serving as MP.

The Gen. belongs to Chiang Mai. Pisan, aged 75 years. I graduated from the 9th class of the Military Preparatory School (TT 9).

During the government service He grew up in order, but for more than half of his service life the man known as “Big Od” had settled in the southern region since 1980, starting as a military officer in the region operations and training (FD 3) 5th Battalion 4, Deputy Commander of the Civil Affairs Division, 4th Army Division, Deputy Commander of the 4th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 4th Army Division, Commander 4th Corps -battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 4th Army Division 4, Deputy Chief of Staff of the 5th Infantry Division, 4th Army Division, Deputy Regional Commander of the Army Surat Thani Province

Later in 1995, he served as Chief of Staff to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. and Deputy Chief of Staff, reporting directly to General Chasit Shinawatra, then Commander-in-Chief of the Army. who is a cousin of Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the 23rd Prime Minister, before he was promoted to head of the 4th Army Division in 2004 during the “Thaksin” government

After retiring from government service, General Pisan entered politics. Starting as an adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Adviser to the Minister of the Interior and Adviser to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security Before moving to work in the House of Representatives after the 2023 elections as a 27th party list MP of the PAD party.

When the Cabinet was formed, the names of General Pisan were on the list of the Minister of Defence, but until then they survived. His name was not really known in the government before the general left quietly when a court issued an arrest warrant.