The Time Appears To Be Just Right For Peace In Thailand

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BURNING ISSUE

The time appears to be just right for peace

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart made a surprise move on Monday when he visited red-shirt leaders at the Bangkok Remand Prison and offered to broker peace between feuding sides.

Sanan, who is also chief adviser to the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, said that to achieve political reconciliation, "the road should first be paved" by building a good understanding between rivals - the red and yellow shirts in this case.

His sudden interest in reconciliation efforts, previously unbeknownst to his party and the government, appears to coincide with the olive branch extended by the opposition Pheu Thai Party and its patriarch, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who are major supporters of the red-shirt movement.

Sanan's explanation was that the resolution for his 75th birthday on September 7 was to help end the political conflict. "I am one of the most senior politicians and want to help restore peace in the country."

Earlier, Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi unveiled a five-point reconciliation proposal, which he said was supported by key party figures. However, it turned out that many Pheu Thai members were lukewarm about the offer, and the government was suspicious about the party's sincerity.

Also, the attempt to have former deputy PM Kowit Wattana - seen as being more supportive of reconciliation - take over as the new Pheu Thai Party chief failed. This was partly because several Pheu Thai politicians were wary of Kowit's ties with Newin Chidchob, the de-facto leader of the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party, and many wanted the old leader Yongyuth Wichaidit to stay.

Thaksin, however, was very vocal about reconciliation. In a Twitter message on Sunday, the fourth anniversary of the 2006 coup, he called on all sides to forgive and be kind to one another - one of the five points proposed by Plodprasop earlier.

"I know many people are still angry and disappointed, but a prosperous country needs people who make sacrifices and overcome their pain. They should begin the process of reconciliation with kind hearts towards their compatriots," the message read.

Thaksin's latest move follows rumours that he met some influential members of the Thai ruling class in Brunei recently and comes at a time when the Democrat-led government was seen as dragging its feet on reconciliation and politicising the matter.

Late last week, Pheu Thai key figures were reportedly asked to go ahead with reconciliation under the condition that the red-shirt leaders in remand be released on bail so they can persuade their followers to help with the process.

It was speculated that a powerful element in the ruling class and the military are behind the latest move for reconciliation even though the government is lukewarm about it.

A highly placed Pheu Thai source said that once the party is officially approached, detained red-shirt leaders including Veera Musigapong and Nattawut Saikua would be consulted about the latest effort. This is where Sanan came into the picture.

During his meeting with the detained red-shirt leaders on Monday, their discussion focused on reconciliation, with red-shirt leaders expressing their readiness to back the process with Sanan as the mediator.

"When it materialises or when the time is right, I will tell the prime minister about it," Sanan said of his latest reconciliation effort.

With this latest move, it appears that certain political elements can no longer wait for the reconciliation process to begin.

-- The Nation 2010-09-22

[isaanbrit]

Time appears to be just right for peace,

I could have sworn it must be april 1st when I read this - lol

[asiawatcher]

The time for peace was always right back in 2001! Thaksin brought the place undone and continues to do so. The sooner the red people lose their nefarious nutcase mentor the closer this country will come to peace.

[givenall]

Time appears to be just right for peace,

I could have sworn it must be april 1st when I read this - lol

Wait a minute, time for peace.

What about time to use the system and follow the rule of law and for the criminal corrupts to pay for what they have done

[junglist]

Yes get rid of all the police, military and government and start over with a more open system. Sad but true, this seems more do able then trying to fix the state everything is in at the moment.

[rubl]

We now have three persons / groups with proposals on amnesty or plans to work on it. K. Sanan as private person (as he says), BJT, PTP (or did they withdraw it?). Almost a 'not-made-here' epidemic. Who next

[hyperdimension]

Late last week, Pheu Thai key figures were reportedly asked to go ahead with reconciliation under the condition that the red-shirt leaders in remand be released on bail so they can persuade their followers to help with the process.

*sigh* Pheu Thai / UDD and their conditions based on self-interest yet again.

[hawker9000]

Late last week, Pheu Thai key figures were reportedly asked to go ahead with reconciliation under the condition that the red-shirt leaders in remand be released on bail so they can persuade their followers to help with the process.

*sigh* Pheu Thai / UDD and their conditions based on self-interest yet again.

Nothing particularly surprising about it, is there? Folks love to say "Amazing Thailand" when such newslines appear, but there's really nothing to be amazed at about any of it! 'Just the same old story, which goes on and on and on...