The former Prime Minister of Thailand publicly apologized for the Muslim ‘genocide’

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra publicly apologized on Sunday, February 23, for the deaths of Muslim protesters in Tak Bai, southern Thailand, in 2004. He expressed, “If I have caused any discomfort or distress, I sincerely apologize.”

The incident, known as the ‘Tak Bai Massacre,’ involved the military arresting 78 Muslim protesters and suffocating them in a tragic display of brutality. On October 25, 2004, in Narathiwat province near the Malaysian border, security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters, resulting in seven deaths. Later, the 78 arrested individuals were subjected to severe mistreatment, leading to their suffocation.

Thaksin, who was the Prime Minister at the time, made his first public apology for the massacre during a visit to southern Thailand, nearly two decades later. When asked about the event, he said, “When I was Prime Minister, I was determined to ensure the safety of local people. If my actions caused any mistakes or dissatisfaction, I apologize for that”.

Thaksin’s apology comes for the first time in public, according to Thai human rights organization ‘Due Jai.’ Co-founder Anchana Heimina stated, “If his apology is sincere, he should personally apologize to the victims’ families face to face”.

The Tak Bai massacre remains a symbol of the Thai government’s repression in the Muslim-majority southern provinces, where a long-standing insurgency and separatist movement continue to clash with government forces.