Thai Talk: A Gesture Of Peace Without Substance Is Just A Truce

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THAI TALK

A gesture of peace without substance is just a truce

By Suthichai Yoon

Like the weather, "peaceful reconciliation" is a topic that everybody talks about but nobody can do anything about it. But unlike the weather, political reconciliation isn't beyond human control. Politicians can and must produce action plans that make this proposition a reality.

But perhaps none of the parties concerned really wants to settle the conflict amicably - because continued confrontation justifies each side's existence. Political tension gives the government the excuse to retain its emergency powers, and offers the opposition party a reason for radicalising its support base.

At the other extreme, rumours bandied about by certain unnamed sources suggest that a "hidden agenda" drawn up by the opposition has gone beyond just talk of truce. What they are really after isn't just "peace". To them, chaos is fine as long as they stand to benefit from it. Now, what they really want is "peace with power". They are gunning for a power-sharing scheme. In other words, some Pheu Thai members may be contemplating jumping into bed with the Democrats - a national government in which the two main parties share the spoils.

Also, you can't help but suspect that one of the reasons behind this push for "peace" is the hope of getting a sweeping amnesty for all banned politicians, in exchange for putting an end to the ongoing confrontation.

If you think all of this is simply too far-fetched, wait until the dust settles.

Setting aside cynicism, though, perhaps there are reasons why we should look at Pheu Thai's five-point "peace proposal" with some serious consideration.

For the sake of sanity, ignore the one-step-forward-one-step-back motion we have witnessed in the past few days. Now they say they want to talk, the next day they want to wait until the other side makes the first move. It's just theatre.

But there are clear signs on both sides of the political divide pointing to a need to call a truce in the prolonged face-off. Pheu Thai is in disarray. Thaksin Shinawatra has grown weary. The search for an effective leader has produced no positive result. Defections within the opposition ranks have intensified. Some red-shirt groups have distanced themselves from the party, to boost the credibility of their campaign for "real democracy" among a public now suspicious of being exploited by the ex-premier.

For the ruling Democrats, the prolonged battle has somehow weakened its image as the country's oldest party that stands for electoral democracy - not a political grouping that seeks protection from the men in uniform. The longer this state of affairs continues, the more damaging it will be for the party's popularity among the middle-class that has always believed the Democrats would serve as a balance against military dictatorship.

Today, that image has eroded to a dangerous degree. The opposition has played - not unconvincingly - on the theme that this government was hammered out in an army barracks. Thus it is running the risk of being seen as a party determined to stay in power at all costs, at the beck and call of the generals.

There are no new elements in the five-point peace plan announced by Pheu Thai: Talks should be held aimed at ending the political conflict peacefully; there should be forgiveness among the feuding parties and an end to the use of violence.

In a way, it probably caught the Democrats off-guard. Still, the statement was released by Plodprasop Surasawadi, one of the less influential deputy party leaders - and not the party's prominent leadership. That dented seriously the impact of the announcement, prompting Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban to intone: "Khun Plodprasop may be stretching out his hand for us to shake, but Khun Jatuporn [Promphan] is still showing his feet to us."

But still, it's a positive gesture. The Democrats and their coalition partners can't afford to turn it down without good reason. But gestures don't make for real peace. That has been proven again and again in the series of political upheavals over the past few years. What counts is substance and a clear road map for national reconciliation to be agreed upon by all parties concerned, and not just the two main warring parties.

After what has happened, it will now be extremely difficult for both sides to convince the public in general that they mean what they say.

-- The Nation 2010-09-09

[brahmburgers]

An ok opinion piece, but not news, and could have been said in one or two paragraphs a la 'letter to the editor' style.

Also, you can't help but suspect that one of the reasons behind this push for "peace" is the hope of getting a sweeping amnesty for all banned politicians, in exchange for putting an end to the ongoing confrontation.

...that's the gist of it. Phue Thai's already dismal reputation flagged during the problems their Red brethren created in March/April/May of this year. Now, one of their lieutenants is offering a truce. It's like flooded community asking central government for 1,000 truckloads of fill in order to get back to level ground.

In order for Phue Thai to have any credibility outside of their Red sphere of influence they need to do two basic things. (1) divorce themselves from Thaksin and his family and cronies, and (2) offer some tangible legislation, which is not immersed in self-enrichment, which would benefit Thailand and the Thai people.

What has Pue Thai ever proposed to aid the environment? ....to aid education? What have they ever done to add convenience to the plight of foreigners who bring in between 10 and 20% of Thailand's outside revenue? One example: The rich among the Phue Thai can prance overseas and easily purchase properties in their own names, but they don't enable the same convenience in their home country.

Edited September 9, 2010 by brahmburgers

[whybother]

Haven't they withdrawn there offers of peace already. They usually only last for an hour or so before one of them adds some unrealistic demand or takes it off the table completely.

[asiawatcher]

The greatest threat to Thailand's peace is Pheu Thai and Thaksin. Dissolve that issue and a lot of the issues will go away (not all) and a road map to recovery can be instigated.

Edited September 9, 2010 by asiawatcher

[SomTumTiger]

I love Puea Thai - They make me laugh - a hysterical, crazy laugh that makes you think that something sinister is going on!