Chalermchai Wirunpeth
Chalermchai Wirunpeth ({{Langx|th|เฉลิมชัย วิรุฬห์เพชร}}) is a Thai former military officer.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=Arrest of Tak Bai massacre suspects ‘will reduce southern violence’ |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40042513 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=nationthailand |language=en-US}} Chalermchai served as the Fifth Infantry Division commander during the 25 October 2004 Tak Bai Massacre in Southern Thailand, which killed 85 people.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=20 years after Tak Bai, impunity trumps justice |url=https://www.newmandala.org/20-years-after-tak-bai-impunity-trumps-justice/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=New Mandala |language=en-AU}} He called in forces from various units and arranged 25 trucks in preparation for dispersing the protest.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-18 |title=ย้อนดูสองกรณี "คดีตากใบ" จะขาดอายุความหรือไม่ เมื่อยังตามตัวจำเลย-ผู้ต้องหา 14 คน มาขึ้นศาลไม่ได้ |url=https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/cvgl07eglp7o |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=BBC News ไทย |language=th}} In 2005, he was removed from his post and moved to an advisory position, but faced no further disciplinary action.{{Cite web |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Asia-Pacific {{!}} Thai generals removed from posts |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4326629.stm |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}
Tak Bai massacre trial
In 2024, Chalermchai was charged in two criminal cases related to the Tak Bai Massacre.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=Arrest of Tak Bai massacre suspects ‘will reduce southern violence’ |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40042513 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=nationthailand |language=en-US}} He was among 9 former security officials named in an April 2024 suit filed in the Narathiwat Provincial Court.{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Tak Bai massacre criminal cases to be filed |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2780714/tak-bai-massacre-criminal-cases-to-be-filed |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Police explain inaction after Tak Bai massacre |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2782655/police-explain-inaction-after-tak-bai-massacre |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}} Those charges were accepted on 23 August 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Thailand’s Deep South Policy: The Need for Justice |url=https://fulcrum.sg/thailands-deep-south-policy-the-need-for-justice/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=FULCRUM |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Court accepts suit against 7 ex-officials linked to Tak Bai deaths |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2852506/court-accepts-suit-against-7-ex-officials-linked-to-tak-bai-deaths |access-date=2024-10-23 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}
On 12 September 2024, Chalermchai was among six soldiers and two civilians charged in the Pattani Provincial Court.{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Eight more charged in 2004 Tak Bai massacre |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2867881/eight-more-charged-in-2004-tak-bai-massacre |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Last-ditch bid to make Tak Bai massacre case arrests |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2888648/last-ditch-bid-to-make-tak-bai-massacre-case-arrests |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wirunpeth, Chalermchai}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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