Abhisit Open For More Talks With Red Shirts And Civic Groups

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PEACE TALK

PM open for more talks with red shirts and civic groups

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday invited civic groups to take part in talks with the government aimed at solving the country's political conflict.

Speaking during his two-day visit to Bahrain, Abhisit said the government was ready to open talks with various civic groups, as well as other elements in society, to hear their views and exchange ideas about a possible way out for the country.

He also expressed optimism that the stalled peace talks with the protesting red shirts would resume.

"I am still hopeful the talks will progress further. I believe the majority wants to see a way out for the country.

And in addition to the red shirts, the government is ready to be involved in talks with civil society to hear and exchange views with all elements of society.

But the format of the talks may be different from those already held," said the prime minister.

On Sunday and Monday, the prime minister headed a three-man government team in televised talks with three red-shirt leaders led by Veera Musigapong at the King Prajadhipok's Institute.

Both sides failed to reach an agreement after two rounds of negotiation. The red shirts demanded the House be dissolved in 15 days and rejected the government's offer to do so by the year-end.

Abhisit said in the Gulf Arab state yesterday he still held out hope the protesting red shirts would agree to further talks despite their flat refusal of more negotiations, the Agence France-Presse reported.

"I have had two rounds of talks with the leaders of the demonstrations ... when I get back I will see if they are willing to resume the talks," Abhisit said in Manama.

Referring to the possibility of fresh demonstrations, Abhisit said his government would handle them in the same way as they have in the past.

"There were some demonstrations recently ... as far as this government is concerned we will ensure the demonstrations do not lead to violence," he said.

The prime minister yesterday was adamant he would not concede to the demand of immediate dissolution of the House of Representatives.

"I think the country needs a cooling-down period," that would allow dialogue between groups, "whether they are the red shirts or other groups," he said.

This would, he added, allow the drafting of "a roadmap to achieve reconciliation and agree on the rules for holding the next elections."

Abhisit was scheduled to return to Thailand last night.

Meanwhile, Jatuporn Promphan, one of the three red-shirt leaders in the talks with the government, said there would be no third round of talks as long as the government remains firm about dissolving the House in nine months.

He rejected the government's proposal for holding a public referendum on constitutional amendment before a House dissolution, adding that it would be a waste of money on holding the vote.

Jatuporn also said the red shirts' rally this Saturday would be larger than the two previous weekend marches along Bangkok streets.

"The rally on Saturday will have more people than in the two previous ones. We will take every action to achieve victory before the protesters return home to join the Songkran festival," he said, adding that the march might continue for days.

-- The Nation 2010-04-01

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[anotherpeter]

He [Jatuporn] rejected the government's proposal for holding a public referendum on constitutional amendment before a House dissolution, adding that it would be a waste of money on holding the vote.

Does he say this because he doesn't want the people to vote on it, or because if the Thaksin party gets into power, they will just change it again to how it suits them?

Abhisit is offering including everyone in discussions for changes to the constitution. AND then allowing the people to vote on it.

What process are the Thaksin parties offering in regards to the constitution? They just want to put their changes in there to give Thaksin an amnesty.

[MellowYellow]

Abhisit comes off more and more Prime Ministerial in his handling of the situation.

Credit is due to him.

I think the red leaders are foolish in rejecting further negotiations een if they don't want to agree to the 9 mo timetable.

On a different note: can we get the TVF posters who so often describe parlimentry mechanics to educate "The Nation" newspaper on the existence of a "House of Representatives" in Thailand.

[Chaimai]

Abhisit continues to do the 'right thing'.

Keep the door open for discussions and press ahead with the Road Map for change.

Invite all interested parties and if Jatuporn does not want to be involved he denies the red shirts a voice at the table.

Time will show that he is not stone-walling and with a transparent Road Map everyone will know where they are going.

I also agree that future discussions should not be in the same 'circus' format of live debate. Grown ups, sitting down behind closed doors, thrashing out thorny issues is the way that developed nations progress.

[Insight]

Abhisit comes off more and more Prime Ministerial in his handling of the situation.

Credit is due to him.

I think the red leaders are foolish in rejecting further negotiations een if they don't want to agree to the 9 mo timetable.

On a different note: can we get the TVF posters who so often describe parlimentry mechanics to educate "The Nation" newspaper on the existence of a "House of Representatives" in Thailand.

Where are you right now MellowYellow?

Just curious, as you seem to get the most posts in when most of us BKK residents are in bed.

[zirc]

On a different note: can we get the TVF posters who so often describe parlimentry mechanics to educate "The Nation" newspaper on the existence of a "House of Representatives" in Thailand.

For the uninformed:

The House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand (Thai: สภาผู้แทนราษฎร; RTGS: Sapha Phu Thaen Ratsadon Thai) is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Repr...ves_of_Thailand

[zirc]

Jatuporn also said the red shirts' rally this Saturday would be larger than the two previous weekend marches along Bangkok streets.

"The rally on Saturday will have more people than in the two previous ones.

If they get their proclaimed twenty million red shirts, they'll have had more people than all the previous protests from any and all groups combined over the past 20 years (perhaps longer).

[MellowYellow]

Abhisit comes off more and more Prime Ministerial in his handling of the situation.

Credit is due to him.

I think the red leaders are foolish in rejecting further negotiations een if they don't want to agree to the 9 mo timetable.

On a different note: can we get the TVF posters who so often describe parlimentry mechanics to educate "The Nation" newspaper on the existence of a "House of Representatives" in Thailand.

Where are you right now MellowYellow?

Just curious, as you seem to get the most posts in when most of us BKK residents are in bed.

I don't want your evil marauding yellow death squads to find me and exterminate my dissent......Thus.............I'm not telling.

Perhaps you should ask jdinasia as, even though he's never met me or knows anything personal about me he has theories.

[tigermonkey]

Jatuporn also said the red shirts' rally this Saturday would be larger than the two previous weekend marches along Bangkok streets.

"The rally on Saturday will have more people than in the two previous ones.

If they get their proclaimed twenty million red shirts, they'll have had more people than all the previous protests from any and all groups combined over the past 20 years (perhaps longer).

The only place that twenty million red shirts protestors has been proclaimed is right here in Thai Visa -- by all the proclaimed enemies of the red shirts. Fabrication has no purpose in intelligent discussion.

[zirc]

I read it here on the forum, but it came from quoting the news

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/redirect.php...%3D255303310002

but whether it's one million, twenty million, or a trillion... it's all made up anyway, same as all their other made up red claims, who are the masters of "fabrication."

Edited April 1, 2010 by zirc

[tigermonkey]

Abhisit continues to do the 'right thing'.

Keep the door open for discussions and press ahead with the Road Map for change.

Invite all interested parties and if Jatuporn does not want to be involved he denies the red shirts a voice at the table.

Time will show that he is not stone-walling and with a transparent Road Map everyone will know where they are going.

I also agree that future discussions should not be in the same 'circus' format of live debate. Grown ups, sitting down behind closed doors, thrashing out thorny issues is the way that developed nations progress.

You make some interesting points, but you ignore the influence of the army in these negotiations.

" Invite all interested parties " -- certainly, but you and I will never know what is the influence and interest of the army in these negotiations.

Abhisit has a one tonne gorilla hiding in the wings, which makes it impossible to have a "transparent Road Map " -- Abhisit must stone-wall to keep his government together past October.

That is when General Anupong will hand the reins of the army over to his chosen successor, General Prayuth Chanocha. There must be at least an appearance of full government support for this transition -- a public blessing by the government of the succession. Abhisit will give this to the army.

If there is a new and uncooperative government, would we be looking at coup number 19 ?

[TAWP]

Fabrication has no purpose in intelligent discussion.

Indeed, but it is so hard for the Red Shirts to not open their mouths without the half-truths and lies jumping out.

From the news link:

UDD Chairperson Weera Musikapong on Tuesday evening read the announcement indicating 20 million people would rally at Phan Fa Bridge and stay until winning the victory.

[tigermonkey]

Fabrication has no purpose in intelligent discussion.

Indeed, but it is so hard for the Red Shirts to not open their mouths without the half-truths and lies jumping out.

From the news link:

UDD Chairperson Weera Musikapong on Tuesday evening read the announcement indicating 20 million people would rally at Phan Fa Bridge and stay until winning the victory.

An accurate quote -- but not necessarily what was said -- always consider the source. In any debate or conflict , there are three versions -- version from Protagonist A, version from Protagonist B and somewhere in between is the Truth!

Weera actually said the largest rally yet, with the support of 20 million Thai citizens.

Edited April 1, 2010 by tigermonkey

[lannarebirth]

Some pretty reasonable talk from that side for a change. Big stuff if they could pull it off.

Apiwan wants amataya toppled

Can be found on the Bangkok Post website.

[TAWP]

Weera actually said the largest rally yet, with the support of 20 million Thai citizens.

Even that is a half-truth, since the number is made up and not close to their real support.

[tigermonkey]

Weera actually said the largest rally yet, with the support of 20 million Thai citizens.

Even that is a half-truth, since the number is made up and not close to their real support.

OK -- twenty million is less than one third of the Thai population --- so what is the real number ? -- and your source ? -- no half truths please !