

Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Bangkok, Thailand – Internal Security Operations Command’s (ISOC) spokesperson, Major General Winthai Suvaree, has issued a clarification regarding the “Tak Bai Incident” in Narathiwat Province, which occurred nearly two decades ago. The incident, which involved intense civil unrest and military intervention, remains a significant event in Thailand’s southern provinces.
Background
On October 19, 2004, six members of the Village Protection Force (VDF) were arrested by local authorities on charges of conspiracy, filing false reports, and the theft of government-issued firearms. In response, on October 25, 2004, a large group of protesters gathered outside Tak Bai Police Station, demanding the release of the arrested individuals. As the crowd grew and tensions escalated, violence erupted, resulting in 47 injuries among the police (37 officers) and military personnel (10 soldiers).
During the confrontation, some of the protesters used concealed firearms, which had been hidden along the Golok River, to attack the authorities. Given the severity of the situation, the police and military were forced to intervene and disperse the protest. A total of 1,370 demonstrators were detained and transported to Ingkhayutthaborihan Military Camp in Pattani Province, located 150 kilometers away, using 28 trucks.
The Incident
The first convoy of eight trucks, carrying around 400 detainees, reached the military camp without incident. However, the second convoy, delayed by five hours due to sabotage along the route, arrived much later. Tragically, many detainees in this group died from asphyxiation during transport, a result of the cramped conditions in the trucks.
Government Response
The Thai government at the time, led by then-Prime Minister, publicly apologized for the tragedy and established an independent fact-finding commission to investigate the events. The commission concluded that while there was no intentional negligence by military personnel, the lack of experience and the logistical challenges during the transport contributed to the unintended deaths. The government provided compensation to 978 individuals affected by the incident, amounting to 641,493,200 THB.
Independent Commission Findings
The independent commission’s findings revealed that key organizers of the protest had planned the unrest and had armed some demonstrators with weapons. After the protest was dispersed, additional weapons, including firearms, ammunition, explosives, and machetes, were discovered near the Golok River. There were also signs that the police station had been targeted by gunfire.
The commission further stated that had the protest not been dispersed, the situation could have escalated into the destruction of the Tak Bai Police Station. Evidence suggested that some of the protest leaders intended for the violence to intensify.
Ongoing Efforts
In the years since the incident, successive Thai governments have made substantial efforts to promote peace and stability in Thailand’s southern border provinces. The lessons learned from the Tak Bai Incident have informed the development of more effective approaches to managing civil unrest, with a focus on preventing further tragedies and ensuring that peacekeeping operations are conducted with greater care and coordination.
Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) remains committed to upholding peace and security in the region while continuing to work closely with local communities to foster understanding and cooperation.
For further inquiries, please contact: Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC)
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