Opposition Demands Transparency in Narathiwat MP Shooting Case

The field visit by opposition leader Natthapon Ruangpanya and Rangsiman Rom, chair of parliament's legal affairs committee, to follow up on the shooting of Narathiwat MP Kamlasak Liwamaung is more than a show of support for a violence victim. It signals that this case has transcended ordinary crime to become a major political, security, and state credibility issue. The heart of the investigation does not rest solely on apprehending the gunman, but on uncovering the true masterminds and motives. State personnel, weapons, and vehicles are known to be involved, yet the case lacks clear public explanation. The opposition has therefore directed its demands at Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister, calling for transparent clarification of the case's progress, since growing ambiguity undermines public confidence. Public confidence is the most critical factor in achieving lasting southern peace; if citizens believe their representatives have been denied justice and the state cannot hold commanders accountable, they will struggle to trust the judicial process or cooperate with authorities in resolving conflict. Rangsiman has raised concerns over non-prosecution orders for certain suspects, weapon destruction procedures, and the collection of two million phone records daily—issues that reveal problems extending beyond this single case to encompass transparency, state power use, and the rule of law. If the government seeks to build lasting peace, it must convince the public that the law applies equally to all, whether ordinary citizens, officials, or the powerful. Solving the assassination case of MP Kamlasak by reaching the true masterminds represents the starting point for restoring public confidence in the state and the first genuine step toward resolving the southern conflict.