A special prosecution office to handle security cases in deep South
A special public prosecution office to handle security-related cases in the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat plus four districts of Songkhla has become operational as of October 1.
Mr Sophon Thipbamrung, former public prosecutor of Narathiwat, who was appointed to head the office in Pattani province, explained that the setting up of the office was intended to ensure better justice for suspected offenders facing terrorism or security-related charges.
He said that several suspected offenders were double-charged for committing an offence such as being a member of an illegal organization. For instance, a man was charged with being a member of an illegal organization in Yala and later on he face the same charge in Pattani province, he said, adding that this amounted to duplication of charges.
If all the cases which took place in the three provinces plus four districts of Songkhla are to be submitted and considered by one single office, then the problem of duplication of charges would be detected and resolved which will ensure greater fairness for the suspected offenders, said Mr Sophon.
For the same case, a prosecutor in one province might have one opinion which is different from that of another prosecutor in another province, he said, adding that in some cases, the prosecutor was put under pressure to lodge the cases to the court despite the fact that the evidences already available were insufficient. – which goes against the policy guideline of the Office of the Attorney-General that only cases which are sufficiently substantiated will be proceeded to the court.
Hence, as of October 1, all the security-related cases which took place in the deep South would have to be sent to the central office in Pattani which will vet all the cases and then decide whether any of them will be proceeded with the court.
Meanwhile in Narathiwat province, the provincial administration was given 16 million baht budget from the government to replace the Koh Yao wooden bridge with a concrete one to link a market close to Tak Bai police district with the Yao island. But the new concrete bridge is meant for pedestrians, cyclists and motor-cyclists only.
On top of that an 11 million budget was also allocated by the government for landscape improvements at the foot of the bridge to Wat Cholatharasing in Tambon Jehae, Tak Bai district. The area will be developed into a tourist destination and recreation.
The new bridge is expected to be completed and officially open to the public on the New Year’s Day.
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Caption : Security-related case in the three southern provinces of Thailand