Memorial in southern Thailand marks 1970s "Red Barrel" killings
A memorial in Phatthalung province, southern Thailand, commemorates people suspected of communist ties who were killed in 1971–1973. According to the source, they were burned in petroleum drums.
In the Lamsin community of Phatthalung province in southern Thailand stands a memorial to the "Red Barrel" incident, a series of violent events from 1971 to 1973 during the suppression of the communist movement in Thailand. The source says few people outside Thailand know about these events, and they often go unheard even inside the country.
What happened
The source states that the suppression policies were believed to have been carried out by the Communist Suppression Operations Command (CSOC), and that Lamsin was considered a stronghold of the "Red Insurgency". People suspected of being communists, or accused of helping the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT), were usually arrested and interrogated first. After questioning they were knocked unconscious and burned in 200-liter petroleum drums, which were usually red.
Some victims were reportedly killed before being burned, while others woke up and were burned alive. To drown out their screams, officials started truck engines. The ashes were later thrown into a canal near the site.
How the drums were used
The drums contained an iron grille divider. The victim was placed on the grille, and about 20 liters of gasoline was poured in so that it collected at the bottom. The drums were chosen both to hide evidence of the crimes and because they could be reused; the strong smell of fuel masked the smell of the dead.
Number of victims
According to the source, over 200 "communist suspects" were incinerated in Lamsin alone, near the memorial. The total across all districts and provinces involved is given as 3,008.
