An independent inquiry into the deaths of 87 Muslims, most of whom apparently suffocated after being crammed into trucks by Thai troops, was Sunday given a 30-day deadline to report back as more grim testimony emerged. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra insisted that the inquiry he announced on Friday amid mounting international concern over human rights violations, and in addition to a government commission, would work to uncover the truth.
"We want to know the whole truth, which could lead to improvements and prevent such an incident from reoccurring, and also the truth about who had bad intentions," he told reporters.
"Right is right, wrong is wrong. We need the whole truth," said the billionaire premier, who is facing one of his biggest crises since he swept to office on a populist platform in January 2001.
Thaksin said he would suggest several names to the chair of the commission, ex-parliamentary ombudsman Pichet Soontornpipit, but that he could also choose his own staff.
"The 30-day deadline could be extended if needed but if not, the commission can wrap up the investigation earlier," said the premier, who must call an election early next year.
Earlier Pichet vowed that his inquiry would be thorough.
Security forces arrested about 1,300 people after a demonstration in Tak Bai in southern Narathiwat province on Monday. Of those, officials said 78 were crushed to death or suffocated after being piled into trucks.
Some of the 120 detainees who returned home to the coastal district of Tak Bai after 1,178 were released by authorities Saturday, were bruised and bandaged but most appeared in good health.
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