Thailand commission to investigate Muslim deaths

Facing new violence and harsh criticism, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has promised to set up an independent commission to investigate the deaths in southern Thailand of 85 accused Muslim rioters, including 78 who died in military detention.

In a televised address last night, Thaksin said he regretted the deaths in Narathiwat province on Monday, blaming bad decisions by lower-ranking military officers and a shortage of army trucks to transport 1,300 people who had been arrested for rioting.