Unending Wounds: Psychological Impacts and Perceptions of Injustice among Families of Victims of the Tak Bai Incident
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Abstract
This study examines the long-term psychological impact on families of victims of the 2004 Tak Bai Incident in Southern Thailand. It aims to understand how grief, fear, and anger continue to shape the lived experiences of those affected. Employing a qualitative research approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with families in Tak Bai District, Narathiwat Province, and analyzed using interpretive thematic analysis. The findings reveal that psychological impacts do not diminish over time but persist as “unending wounds.” These are manifested in three interconnected dimensions: (1) unresolved grief that cannot be emotionally closed, (2) pervasive fear and a sense of insecurity embedded in everyday life, and (3) enduring anger and perceptions of injustice linked to both the incident and its aftermath. The study further argues that existing state compensation and material assistance measures are insufficient to address the deeper psychological needs of affected families, as they fail to address loss, memory, and unresolved feelings of injustice. It concludes that understanding psychological impacts in conflict settings requires moving beyond individual-level explanations toward a broader perspective that recognizes ongoing processes shaped by past violence and present conditions. Meaningful recovery, therefore, depends not only on psychosocial support but also on rebuilding trust and ensuring that such violence does not recur.
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