Enforced Disappearances in Thailand

When they failed to succeed on their own, the headman inquired the help of WGJP. On June 6, 2006, more than a week after the incident, a local human rights volunteer from WGJP came and helped the family look for Wae-harem. They first went to the military camp Sirinthon as it is where the offices of the Military Chief Region 4 and the Southern Border Provinces Peace Building Command are located. These officials said they were not aware of someone by the name of Wae-harem being in detention in any of their units.

Although the victim’s wife had no idea as to why her husband was being targeted, another close member of the family told WGJP the following: The victim might be allegedly on the local army unit list of suspected insurgents (BRN). His role in supporting community – getting youth and poor people jobs in his construction business – and position as deputy village chief seemed to make him stand out as a prime suspect. The alleged disappearance took place only 700 meters on a straight road to his house.

There were witnesses and circumstantial suggesting that the Army Special Warfare unit stationed in the area might have the knowledge or be responsible for this incident.

The entire community is now engulfed with fear. Most men villagers are worried that they can be the next victims, especially those who had been previously enrolled in ‘Re-education/Peace Building Program’. The village and neighboring areas have been under constant surveillance of the army intelligence. There are ‚watchers‛ planted all over the pace. Any visit is immediately recorded. And after that, in the evening, the villagers will be questioned about the visitors and the nature of their visits.

OFFICIAL ACTION: The relatives of the victim filed a missing person report with the police in Cho-airong district, Narathiwat province. On 5 June 2006, the relatives of the victim informed different agencies of Waeharem’s disappearance, including the Military Chief Region 4; the newly established National Justice and Civil Liberty Commission, and Lawyer Council of Thailand; and the chairman for the southern border provinces of the government-appointed Independent Commission on Justice and Civil Liberties, Mr Ukrit Mongkolnavin.

As of 4 December 2011, none have taken any action.

The relatives also sent their complaint to the NHRC, but there has been no news of any progress.

No death certificate has been issued.

Incident 30 NAME: Mr Wandi Gazi, Mr Abdullah Eitae, Mr Eruan Masay and Mr Manasay Lohlanay DATE OF INCIDENT: 23 May 2007 APPROX. LOCATION OF INCIDENT: road between Yaha and Yala districts, Yala province DATE OF REPORTS: 14 June 2011 (date of second report) ADDRESS OF VICTIM: Ban Ton-Yee village, Lumphaya district; 79 village no.6, Lam Mai sub-district, Yala district; 85 village no.6, Yala district; and 27/2 village no.1, Lidol sub-district, Yala district; respectively, Yala province 39