Thread: Thailand : Reconciliation begins today

PM: Reconciliation begins today
10/06/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wrote in his Twitter page on Thursday after a religious ceremony of five religions at Government House inviting the people of all walks of life to watch the launch of his reconciliation plan which will be telecast live on all television channels from 6pm.

"Today, from 6pm, we will see the concrete beginning of national reconciliation. I would like to invite the people of all sectors to take part in the reconciliation plan," Mr Abhisit wrote in his Twitter page.

The prime minister also went on to leave a message about the appointment of former attorney-general Khanit na Nakhon as head of a committee to investigate the violence during the red-shirt rallies.

"As for the appointment of Mr Khanit, there will not be a change. Khun Khanit himself has declared he will perform his duty straightforwardly.

"The government will not interfere in his selection of committee members. It is not easy to find a man to take this job, which will be under heavy pressure. Before he agreed to take the job, he knew before hand he would be in that situation," Mr Abhisit said.

The national reconciliation plan will be officially launched at 6pm today by the prime minister.

bangkokpost.com

Puea Thai slams PM's roadmap
10/06/2010

The opposition Puea Thai Party slammed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's planned announcement of the reconciliation roadmap, saying that it is just another effort of the government to buy more time in office.

Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the Puea Thai party disagrees with the reconciliation built on deaths and blood of the people.

This is a government's short-term victory, but the country's loss in the long run, he said.

"If the government really wants to create reconciliation in the country, it should not buy time buy setting up committees aimed at bringing unity just so the government would get to stay in power longer," he said.

Mr Prompong also said that the government's formation of independent committees including the one to investigate the deaths that took place during the two-month anti-government rally are for the purpose of whitewashing their own actions.

The spokesman accused Mr Abhisit of being the one ordering the crackdown on protesters, and criticised the government for not showing any political responsibilities over the action.

"What the Abhisit government has done is no better than a government with tyrant heart hiding behind a mask of democracy," Mr Prompong said.

He then slammed the government for refusing to revoke the emergency decree in the capital and other provinces, saying that the decree gives the government an absolute power to detain suspects for 30 days without following judicial process.

bangkokpost.com

Abhisits version of reconciliation is pacification through intimidation.
Law and order for political opponents and turning a blind eye to the crimes of political supporters. The hypocrisy of this man is blatantly obvious to all.
Abuse of authority so extreme it amounts to fascism.

Originally Posted by Panda

Abhisits version of reconciliation is pacification through intimidation.
Law and order for political opponents and turning a blind eye to the crimes of political supporters. The hypocrisy of this man is blatantly obvious to all.
Abuse of authority so extreme it amounts to fascism.

More dribble from a dribbler.

This is befitting of a fine Oxford education. Let the healing begin.

Originally Posted by Mid

Puea Thai slams PM's roadmap
10/06/2010

The opposition Puea Thai Party slammed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's planned announcement of the reconciliation roadmap, saying that it is just another effort of the government to buy more time in office.

Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the Puea Thai party disagrees with the reconciliation built on deaths and blood of the people.

This is a government's short-term victory, but the country's loss in the long run, he said.

"If the government really wants to create reconciliation in the country, it should not buy time buy setting up committees aimed at bringing unity just so the government would get to stay in power longer," he said.

Mr Prompong also said that the government's formation of independent committees including the one to investigate the deaths that took place during the two-month anti-government rally are for the purpose of whitewashing their own actions.

The spokesman accused Mr Abhisit of being the one ordering the crackdown on protesters, and criticised the government for not showing any political responsibilities over the action.

"What the Abhisit government has done is no better than a government with tyrant heart hiding behind a mask of democracy," Mr Prompong said.

He then slammed the government for refusing to revoke the emergency decree in the capital and other provinces, saying that the decree gives the government an absolute power to detain suspects for 30 days without following judicial process.

bangkokpost.com

Thats the way to do it.

No negotiation with tunelected errorists and murderers

Of course reconciliation begins today... Right after you start to exterminate your opposition...

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...shot-dead.html (Local Red Shirt leader shot dead in Nakhon Ratchasima)

I thought he doesn't have to call an election till the end of next year? If so I would bet my last baht that's exactly when there will be an election.

Originally Posted by dtalok

I thought he doesn't have to call an election till the end of next year?

Thats when their (un)elected term ends. But don't let that limit you- I mean the Establishment doesn't. They can delay elections indefinitely. Or just overturn the results of elections if they don't like them. Thats the norm here.

But they are desperately scrabbling to buy factional support for the Dem's upcountry, in the hope of their puppets being actually able to win an election and form a government- because they know this country is becoming more like a tinderbox and the longer they suppress the popular vote, the more likely it is to explode.

Most people upcountry think that the Dem's and the Newin faction are contemptible snakes. Will 1000 bht be able to change that? My advice to the average voter would be to accept the money from the highest bidder- and then vote for the other party.

the fact is that it doesn't matter, the peasants don't care about an election and don't want one, what they want is their man. They are not going to protest if there is no election without financing, there is no incentive or even a cause to protest. When I say cause, I mean a real cause, not an excuse.

"Begins today" ? Too little too late.
Besides, he is not qualified.

Thai PM: Reconciliation road map to be complete by year end, urge all Thais to participate



BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) - Urging all Thais to join his reform efforts, Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said the national reconciliation road map will be complete by the year end as a New Year's gift to the Thai people.

In a nationally televised address, the prime minister said everyone was deeply hurt by what has happened in the country, the casualties and losses, all of which were caused by the Thai people themselves.

The premier said Thailand must move forward, but the future of the country cannot be built upon anger, hatred and resentment. The government alone cannot reform the country, but every person must take part.

"It is time now that we will help rebuild our home," said Mr Abhisit. "I invite every Thai to start reforming Thailand, with confidence of all Thais."

The premier however said some sectors have already begun their work for national reconciliation and reform.

"No matter who you are, where you live, what political view you have," the prime minister said, "I reaffirm that today we are ready to let them be a part of this move and I urge the public to follow the news about how they can get involved with this historic process."

Mr Abhisit said the reconciliation process will solve the problems and reform structures which may take longer than the tenure of his government, but he wants to have a clear plan within this year in order to get the country out of the crisis and violence and to become a New Year's gift for the Thai people.

The premier asserted it is normal to have differing views under a democratic system, while the reconciliation plan will pave the way to the country's reform without doing away with the diversities in the society.

Prior to the live televised address, the prime minister discussed with representatives from four sectors--academic, business, media and local administrative bodies.

Mr Abhisit reiterated to the four sectors regarding his five-point plan to reconcile the nation which includes the protection of the revered monarchy, the problem-solving of social inequality, media reform, fact-finding panel over the deadly protests and other politically-related issues.

The prime minister said after the meeting that the reconciliation road map can only be achieved through public cooperation, therefore a national survey will be held and the process will take about two months to complete. Then a detailed plan and timeline to support the five-point road map is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Mr Abhisit said that three agencies will be the main mechanism in driving the process -- the Thai Health Promotion Board, the Office of the National Economic and social Development Board (NESBD), and the secretariat of the Thai Health Promotion Board.

A public forum will be held on June 17 to conclude a mechanism to move forward, while urging the four sectors to brainstorm opinions on the road map within two weeks and he himself will attend the event to encourage full public participation.

In other development, the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on Thursday agreed to maintain the State of Emergency in Bangkok and other 23 provinces for the time being, citing intelligence reports on possible sabotage, arsons in some strategic locations such as power plants and fuel storage facilities, as well as attempts to incite violence.

CRES also agreed to tighten security at public utility units and combine soldiers with police officers to patrol in areas at risk during the night to ensure safety for the public and places.

mcot.net

Originally Posted by Butterfly

the fact is that it doesn't matter, the peasants don't care about an election and don't want one, what they want is their man. They are not going to protest if there is no election without financing, there is no incentive or even a cause to protest. When I say cause, I mean a real cause, not an excuse.

As it is Butters, you might be surprised {or not} to understand that such peasantry, in great numbers, aren't so enamored with the 'scapegoat' as is the current belief. Independent and original thought begins with ourselves, less what is repeated over and again by the social engineers - and those whom imbibe easily. Regardless of your ingrained political philosophies.

^ not sure what you are trying to say in clear terms, but the peasantrey is too busy working to worry about such elitist concern as Democracy and freedom of speech

Originally Posted by Butterfly

^ not sure what you are trying to say in clear terms, but the peasantrey is too busy working to worry about such elitist concern as Democracy and freedom of speech

...or perhaps they don't find it necessary to politically incessant. Where it might be the outside world that insist they 'need' to be - or better yet, design such fanciful schemes and social patterns.

Originally Posted by Mid

Thai PM: Reconciliation road map to be complete by year end, urge all Thais to participate



BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) - Urging all Thais to join his reform efforts, Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said the national reconciliation road map will be complete by the year end as a New Year's gift to the Thai people.

In a nationally televised address, the prime minister said everyone was deeply hurt by what has happened in the country, the casualties and losses, all of which were caused by the Thai people themselves.

The premier said Thailand must move forward, but the future of the country cannot be built upon anger, hatred and resentment. The government alone cannot reform the country, but every person must take part.

"It is time now that we will help rebuild our home," said Mr Abhisit. "I invite every Thai to start reforming Thailand, with confidence of all Thais."

The premier however said some sectors have already begun their work for national reconciliation and reform.

"No matter who you are, where you live, what political view you have," the prime minister said, "I reaffirm that today we are ready to let them be a part of this move and I urge the public to follow the news about how they can get involved with this historic process."

Mr Abhisit said the reconciliation process will solve the problems and reform structures which may take longer than the tenure of his government, but he wants to have a clear plan within this year in order to get the country out of the crisis and violence and to become a New Year's gift for the Thai people.

The premier asserted it is normal to have differing views under a democratic system, while the reconciliation plan will pave the way to the country's reform without doing away with the diversities in the society.

Prior to the live televised address, the prime minister discussed with representatives from four sectors--academic, business, media and local administrative bodies.

Mr Abhisit reiterated to the four sectors regarding his five-point plan to reconcile the nation which includes the protection of the revered monarchy, the problem-solving of social inequality, media reform, fact-finding panel over the deadly protests and other politically-related issues.

The prime minister said after the meeting that the reconciliation road map can only be achieved through public cooperation, therefore a national survey will be held and the process will take about two months to complete. Then a detailed plan and timeline to support the five-point road map is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Mr Abhisit said that three agencies will be the main mechanism in driving the process -- the Thai Health Promotion Board, the Office of the National Economic and social Development Board (NESBD), and the secretariat of the Thai Health Promotion Board.

A public forum will be held on June 17 to conclude a mechanism to move forward, while urging the four sectors to brainstorm opinions on the road map within two weeks and he himself will attend the event to encourage full public participation.

In other development, the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on Thursday agreed to maintain the State of Emergency in Bangkok and other 23 provinces for the time being, citing intelligence reports on possible sabotage, arsons in some strategic locations such as power plants and fuel storage facilities, as well as attempts to incite violence.

CRES also agreed to tighten security at public utility units and combine soldiers with police officers to patrol in areas at risk during the night to ensure safety for the public and places.

mcot.net

Says one thing and does another.
Flowery words are cheap, and I am sure believed by few on both sides in Thailand.

Well he's at least given this "reconciliation" a date. Now I want to see how he/they are going to do it...

There are some seriously aggrieved folks about.

P.Thai, reds told, don't block road map


P.Thai, reds told, don't block road map

• Published: 11/06/2010 at 02:13 PM
• Online news: Breakingnews

Thepthai Senpong, spokesman of Democrat Party leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, called on the opposition Puea Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to stay quiet and not to act as an obstacle in government's reconciliation plan.
Mr Thepthai called on the opposition party and the red-shirt group to let the reconciliation plan takes shape and let the country move forward.

He spoke a day after Mr Abhisit launched the reconciliation plan and called on all 63 million Thais to take part in the campaign to end rifts in the country.

Mr Abhisit would go to Songkhla province's Hat Yai district as the first stop to listen to people's opinions and their reactions on the plan before visiting people in other provinces.

Mr Thepthai, however, said the prime minister may not go to the northern and northeastern provinces to avoid provoking or challenging anti-government groups. The two regions are strongholds of Puea Thai Party.

He also slammed Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan's criticism of the roadmap that it is just the government's way of creating a good image, saying that Mr Jatuporn was just trying to oppose all types of reconciliation plans.

CTP backs reconciliation plan


CTP backs reconciliation plan

• Published: 11/06/2010 at 02:41 PM
• Online news: Local News

The Chartthai Pattana Party (CTP) supports the prime minister’s five-point national reconciliation map as it will lead to concrete solutions to the country’s problems, spokesman Watchara Kannika said on Friday.
However, there were several other reconciliation proposals from other parties that the government should also listen to, including the road proposed by Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser, Mr Watchara said.
Chartthai Pattana wanted all parties to focus on the common objective for a permanent reconciliation, even if each party’s preferred process for creating unity was different, the party spokesman said.


“In the meantime, Chartthai Pattana disagrees with the attempt to involve international organisations in settling the country's problems. Thai people can solve their own problems,” Mr Watchara said.


He disagreed with Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, rector of the National Institute of Development Administration who will head the charter amendment panel, that his panel would comprise only academics.
Mr Watchara said constitutional change aims at settling political problems and therefore politicians' representatives should be allowed to take part.
If this was not possible, the committee should be open to suggestions and recommendations from the political branch, he said.


He said all parties should stop criticising the appointment of former attorney-general Khanit na Nakhon as chairman of an independent inquiry into the death and violence during the recent political unrest until they see who is appointed to the panel.
The inquiry's first task was to create credibility by proving its impartiality. If the panel members were unable to do this then the public might not cooperate, he said.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Noppadon asks PM to abandon road map


Noppadon asks PM to abandon road map

"Oh shit, he's really doing it. Quick, run interference"

Yeah, Thaksin and Thaksinites must really be sweating, as they have an opponent that actually has a plan, and works said plan - no wonder they are freaking out. All to no avail.

Lovely to see the haters stream to this thread, like moths to the flame.

There's some folks in serious need of deportation around these parts.

Abhisit unsure if road map will work
12/06/2010

Thais 'may be unable to return to middle path'

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has admitted he is not confident his reconciliation road map can be implemented successfully.

Given current social circumstances, it will be quite difficult to bring all Thais back to the middle path, Mr Abhisit said yesterday at the National Defence Studies Institute.

Mr Abhisit said successful implementation of the road map, proposed to end the political turmoil, required cooperation from over 95% of Thais.

Nevertheless, the situation now makes it very tough to implement reconciliation, he said.

"Even if 80% of the people support this plan, it's not enough. Its possible success would need upward of 95%," said Mr Abhisit.

He said a lot of his supporters complained about his reconciliation decision announced last month to deal with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rally. A lot of UDD supporters were also upset after their leaders at that time announced they had accepted his proposal.

"Circumstances have not encouraged them to take the middle path [and promote reconciliation]," he said.

Encountering people from both sides - the UDD and its rival People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - he said they tended to consume one-sided information so it was difficult to persuade them to take the middle path.

"We don't have an answer in advance over whether the road map will be a success or a failure. We have to try to solve problems while learning about them as well. This is the responsibility of all people in society. The situation over the past four to five years has been the most challenging in Thai history," said the prime minister.

Mr Abhisit said Thailand's political conflict had not started just a few months ago but began several years ago.

"The conflict is so complicated. Some recent violence might not have been carried out by Thai people. We need to accept there really were well-organised armed groups [fighting against security officers] even though questions remain over who they were," he said.

Mr Abhisit denied the government was involved in the killing of Saknarin Kongkaew, a UDD core leader in Nakhon Ratchasima who was shot dead on Thursday.

"This government has never had such a policy. I always reiterate [to security authorities] that officers should take non-violent action," he said.

Economic and social inequality are core issues in the conflict which need national reform, he said.

Mr Abhisit yesterday also called on former prime minister Anand Panyarachun at his residence on Soi Sukhumvit 53 and spent about one hour talking with him.

Mr Anand and academic Prawase Wasi have been tipped to be invited to co-chair the government's national reform panel.

However, Mr Abhisit said organisations in the civic sector will nominate the heads of the national reform committee by June 17.

Meanwhile, Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, also former chairman of the Council for National Security and leader of the 2006 coup, yesterday voiced opposition to the government's bid to reopen probes of alleged extra-judicial killings during the Thaksin Shinawatra government, saying this could hamper reconciliation.

"I'm not sure it's a good time for the government to reopen the cases. It should review this plan," he said.

bangkokpost.com

Originally Posted by Mid

Encountering people from both sides - the UDD and its rival People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - he said they tended to consume one-sided information so it was difficult to persuade them to take the middle path.

Bingo. The PAD types basically don't want reconciliation, and many of the UDD types think it's just another government whitewash. The government has quite a job on it's hands.

Originally Posted by Mid

opposition to the government's bid to reopen probes of alleged extra-judicial killings during the Thaksin Shinawatra government, saying this could hamper reconciliation.

Think I agree with this actually. At the end of the day, this 'throw the book at Thaksin' approach is just miring everything in old conflicts, over one guy. It's a shame to say it ('cus it was wrong) but at the time I do not recall one Thai that was anything but strongly in favour of the purge. Then again I didn't speak to any drug dealers or leftist academics. I don't see how endlessly raking over old ashes is conducive to Reconciliation.

Originally Posted by sabang

The PAD types basically don't want reconciliation, and many of the UDD types think it's just another government whitewash. The government has quite a job on it's hands.

I think the PAD and the UDD don't want reconciliation, they are the same fascist group at the end, started together and eventually split. I think the roadmap is an impossible task with the garbage on the road. They need to use the 1992 way, that is suspending election for the next 5 years until everyone chills out.

Originally Posted by sabang

at the time I do not recall one Thai that was anything but strongly in favour of the purge.

oh that makes it ok then, speak about Fascism, you might be a closet case after all

Originally Posted by Butterfly

They need to use the 1992 way, that is suspending election for the next 5 years until everyone chills out.

I very much doubt that will happen BF, although of course one must prepare to be amazed in Amazing Thailand. Just too high a chance the country would explode, and I think the Military & associates know that.