Rights group says Thai army chief obstructs violence probe

(August 24, 2012) An international human rights group called on Thailand's army chief on Thursday to stop obstructing investigations into a crackdown on anti-government protesters in 2010 when 98 people were killed and more than 2,000 wounded. "Abuses by soldiers took place in full view of the Thai public and the world's media, yet the Thai army chief is now trying to intimidate investigators and critics into silence," said Brad Adams, Asia director at the New York-based Human Rights Watch. Anti-government protesters supporting ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, took to the streets of Bangkok in April and May 2010 demanding snap elections. The protesters said the then prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, rose to power illegitimately with the help of the military. The protests were brought to an end by soldiers under orders from the government. At some stages during the protracted demonstrations, mysterious black-clad gunmen mingled with the protesters and battled soldiers and some of those killed were members of the security forces. But the majority of the deaths were caused by fire from soldiers, according to numerous witnesses and the protesters. But the army has denied any involvement in civilian deaths.