Powers Outside Thailand's Electoral System 'Key'

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Powers outside electoral system 'key'

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

National reconciliation is not likely to be achieved unless "powers outside the electoral system" make peace with power-holders in the electoral system, Prof Chaiwat Satha-ananda, a political scientist from Thammasat University, said yesterday.

"What can we do to make the powers outside the electoral system reconcile with the power within the electoral system and make the powers outside the electoral system accept the electoral result?" asked Chaiwat in a symposium on the post-electoral reconciliation process organised by Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Law and Matichon newspapers.

Chaiwat tried to answer his own question by saying boosting the power of the electoral system and political parties would comparatively weaken the powers outside the electoral system, which tend to interfere.

The political scientist, known for his expertise in peace studies and conflict resolutions, stopped short of listing all the elements that constitute the powers outside the electoral system, however.

He urged the public to pay close attention to how reconciliation can be achieved, citing spates of violence in the past half decade or so that have "chained" Thai society.

"Reconciliation is an important component of a democratic system... because it enables the society to revitalise itself," Chaiwat said.

He admitted, however, that a single unified truth about what happened in April and May 2010 - when a total of 92 people were killed, 2,000 injured, and dozens of buildings burnt down - may never emerge.

Instead, he called for Thai society to be open-minded enough to embrace what he called a "plurality of truths".

Kittipong Kitayarak, chairman of the strategies for reconciliation subcommittee of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) - whose chairperson, Kanit na Nakorn, was appointed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva - said the framework for reconciliation must be broader than merely unearthing what happened last April and May. It must include consideration of the notion of transitional justice.

"I don''t know if Thai society can discuss every issue but I will try to speak as much as possible," said Kittipong, who's also permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry. He said it was difficult to say when the truth would be revealed and whether the public would accept it or not.

"But truth alone is not enough, justice and accountability are also needed," he said.

Kittipong said issues like fair treatment of the red shirts still incarcerated without bail and in shackles, a year after, was an urgent issue that needed to be addressed by the next government. Many should not be considered ordinary criminals.

Long-term challenges were issues like establishing the rule of law, eradicating corruption and preventing intervention by forces outside the electoral political system.

Former deputy premier Surakiart Sathirathai, who was foreign minister under Thaksin Shinawatra, sounded more hopeful. Surakiart suggested people close to conflicted parties should ask contacts or friends to forge a dialogue for reconciliation. Forging mutual tolerance between or among disputing parties was also needed.

Surakiart said he hoped the TRC would remain, even if a different political party heads the next government after the July 3 election.

He added that the world is watching Thailand closely as to how things transpire after the election.

Chairman of Thailand's Industrial Congress, Payungsak Chartsuthipol, another panellist, stressed the need for a socio-political environment free of the conflict and violence that has plagued Thai society in recent years. He said the economic competitiveness of Thailand was at stake if the situation did not improve after the election. Establishing trust among various conflicting parties was vital, he said.

The moderator, Thakor Boonpan, editor of Khao Sod newspaper, conceded earlier that the conflict had now become so "messy… people no longer know what they're fighting about".

-- The Nation 2011-06-28