All This Talk Of Reconciling Seems Hollow In Thailand

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

All this talk of reconciling seems hollow

By Jintana Panyaarvudh

Talk about a reconciliation plan has emerged again and again but the whole process seems plagued with doubt. Reconciliation will only take place if people who have quarrelled relent, but the parties in our national conflict seem to have a different definition of 'reconciliation' at present.

Fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is at the core of the conflict, seems to be confused about this, or maybe he is being two-faced. On one hand, he has tried to say he desperately wants reconciliation. In recent interviews with Thai media and his "tweets", he has said many times he badly needs to see reconciliation. He urges all concerned people to let go of their ego to help the country survive and allow people to be happy again. He has also tried to show loyalty to the monarch. But, while he keeps saying the government or public should not be concerned or talk about him, he keeps moaning that he has been harassed and bullied.

"Why don't they stop harassing me?

"You (media) should not be concerned that I would take revenge. The only thing in my mind is reconciliation as it is a great agenda. I don't have any resentment against anyone. But I will not kiss up to anyone," Thaksin said to Matichon last week.

It makes you wonder if Thaksin really does want reconciliation. Yes, if it means that he'll get back his Bt46 billion in cash seized by the courts? And an amnesty instead of a two-year jail term for the suspect Ratchadapisek land scheme.

For small and medium-sized parties in the coalition or not, the recent talk of reconciliation is a recipe for disaster. They fear that reconciliation may be a sign that the Democrats and Pheu Thai Party could join hands to form a government after the next election. And while such a formula may be good for the country, the burden would fall on small and medium parties, because they would become the opposition. So, veteran politicians like Banharn Silpa-archa and Newin Chidchob will never let such an outcome happen.

As Banharn said "I always said such reconciliation is impossible, not in this lifetime. I cannot say either if reconciliation (in Thailand) can really occur. Reconciliation (in Thailand) needs the application of former leader of South Africa: Nelson Mandela. If they study that, reconciliation can happen. Unless all sides compromise, how can they reconcile? It's too hard."

Newin also seemed to look down on the reconciliation plan offered by Pheu Thai Party. "It remains to be seen if reconciliation could really happen. It could happen only if what they act other than what they say. If they speak without acting, one cannot achieve it," he said.

For Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the heart of reconciliation is all concerned parties joining hands to bring the country back to political normalcy, as he said he needed cooperation from all parties including Pheu Thai. He needed all parties to help restore democracy inpolitics to pave the way for an election.

For the premier, the heart of the reconciliation is not about an amnesty. However, the premier did not rule this out totally. He just said he could not accept Thaksin avoiding laws that apply to all.

The PM said on his weekly TV show yesterday: "We can't deny Thaksin remains influential over red-shirt leaders and Pheu Thai. As I always said reconciliation is about national interests. Thaksin should not bring his own interest or problem into the political equation because the government has the duty to take care for all people's interest not just a group's interest."

So, it's impossible Thaksin will get his money back, or be granted an amnesty.

In the end the talk about reconciliation just seems like another political game to boost people's popularity.

-- The Nation 2010-09-13

[Robby nz]

Suspect PTP has come to the belated realisation that they are not going to win an outright majority in the next election.

Therefor they must put themselves in the best position possible.

Surely that would have to be as a coalition partner.

Whether as the lead partner or not.

The way I see it the best hope for this country is the present PM as no other party offers a leader of his quality.

It must be entirely possible that the Dems could take PTP as a coalition partner should they get a majority of seats.

I suspect they would be easier to control and less demanding then the present main coalition partner.

But first PTP must do a few things.

First is to dump Jutaporn.

He would be no loss as he is only a list MP and has no constituants who would turn against the party and:

He must be getting to be an embarrisment to PTP now with his silly statements and obvious red affiliation.

This would be a part of stepping back from the red movement.

Then they would have to come up with real policies and a manifesto that shows they are a party that could work towards improving the country and the lot of the people.

They would also have to be prepered to divorce Thaksin.

Not an easy move for them as they would loose his funding, and there would be no big divorce settlememt.

They could wait till just before or after the election, but who would believe them?

If they managed it wouldnt K Thaksin be furious.

But then he doesnt want revenge, he just said so.

A joker in the pack are the Dem's psrt disolusion cases.

If that happens all bets are off.

[SomTumTiger]

Reconciliation will happen, the moment Thaksin is out of the picture permanently

[asiawatcher]

Reconciliation will happen, the moment Thaksin is out of the picture permanently

Couldn't agree more and each day that goes past, and the more Thaksin hits the blogs, the more he looks like he is losing his marbles with selective memory, flip flop stances and wild accusations against his accusers. HIs only agenda is his seized assets.

[tw25rw]

They showed during the city occupation that they don't negotiate in good faith. The process is a waste of time except to reveal their true colours.

[tomyummer]

I think that all this 'back and forth' between the parties has just summed up to a big 'waste'. Waste of everyone's time, money, emotional capacity, and tolerance by the people. Not to mention future earnings for Thailand.

Frankly, all politicians up till now should be removed and barred. Nothing has worked for as long as I can remember. No constitution with sticking power. The only consistency in government in Thailand is the corruption, which at the 30% 'tea money' rate means that all government projects are over-funded and under-constructed or implemented.

Somehow, Uncle 'T' needs to disappear from the earth.

[geriatrickid]

Reconciliation will happen, the moment Thaksin is out of the picture permanently

Yes and no. The problems will still be there. It's like a lightening rod I reckon. The lightening is still dangerous and that rod gizmo serves as a means to direct to a less dangerous place.Mr. Thaksin is somewhat of a spent force at this time. Whether he is here or somewhere else, we're still going to have the clash of the vested interests. If not Mr. Thaksin, someone else will take his place. And as we saw with that dangerous General that was murdered, some of the alternatives are much worse. Sometimes the known is safer than the unknown if only because one can prepare and anticipate.

[SomTumTiger]

Reconciliation will happen, the moment Thaksin is out of the picture permanently

Yes and no. The problems will still be there. It's like a lightening rod I reckon. The lightening is still dangerous and that rod gizmo serves as a means to direct to a less dangerous place.Mr. Thaksin is somewhat of a spent force at this time. Whether he is here or somewhere else, we're still going to have the clash of the vested interests. If not Mr. Thaksin, someone else will take his place. And as we saw with that dangerous General that was murdered, some of the alternatives are much worse. Sometimes the known is safer than the unknown if only because one can prepare and anticipate.

Actually - when the sniper took out Capt. Crazy - the situation rapidly improved. A bullet well spent - imo.