Thai Govt Actions Hold The Key To Political Stability And Freedom From Conflict

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Govt actions hold the key to political stability and freedom from conflict

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

While the government anticipates Thai politics will become less tense this year as people learn to avoid conflict, the opposition and observers attending a roundtable discussion hosted by Krungthep Thurakij newspaper believe that whatever transpires depends on the actions of the administration.

Democrat Party executive and Trang MP Satit Wongnongtaey said pressure on the ruling Pheu Thai Party was related to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirts. If Pheu Thai's choices reflect help to an individual or any particular group, then political turmoil will return.

"The government is the key player," Satit said. "It depends on the key player which mode it will play. If it plays in line with the public interest, the likelihood of crisis will be lessened."

Plans to make changes to the Constitution are not the only problem for politicians, he added. To restore peace in the country, Pheu Thai must give priority to developing the economy and rehabilitation following the devastating floods. At the same time, it must stop activities that are dividing people, such as red-shirt villages. Moreover, it must make it clear how it would change the Constitution and the laws related to amnesty, Satit said.

The MP said the government was very strong in Parliament, while the red shirts and some academics had support from outside and from some newspapers.

Samart Kaewmeechai, a Pheu Thai Chiang Rai MP and former House Speaker, told the roundtable that the strength of its support depended on how the government was able to administrate the country and follow up on the promises it made during the campaign.

Part of the campaign indicated constitutional amendment, while red-shirt co-leader Thida Thawornseth insisted the 1997 charter should be reinstated over the 2007 Constitution.

Samart said one change to be made within the current parliamentary session, by April 18, is to amend the law on the establishment of a charter-drafting council. It would then be up to the council to decide what parts of the main law should be redrafted. There had been no discussion about changing Article 112 of the Criminal Act on lese majeste, he said, Samart also said it was a common understanding that former premiers Thaksin and Somchai Wongsawat would be advisers to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. This would be good, he said, although only a few from the banned 111 politicians would join the Pheu Thai Party after their exclusion from politics is lifted in May.

He said he understood the disagreements among Pheu Thai members, the red shirts and even the coalition. Although they were common, he saw signs of reconciliation and compromise.

"Some leaders of the red shirts have come to work in the House now, so they have less time to talk to their followers. Some are so used to performing activities that they would have to form some new movements," he said.

Samart is a member of the House committee on reconciliation headed by the 2006 coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

He said signs of compromise had been very clear in the work of the House panel, while Thais have had enough lessons on how to avoid political conflict.

"Since we got a [House] reconciliation committee, we [politicians] have sent signals to society that we will create an atmosphere of reconciliation. We don't just think of the ways ourselves, but we let academics [from King Prajadhipok's Institute] figure out the solutions," he said. .

Samart said rehabilitation provided for those affected by political conflict would lead to forgiveness, and then to a clearer path to reconciliation.

Nikkorn Chamnong, a committee member and adviser to the agriculture minister from the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, said the parliamentary system was in balance with a strong opposition under the Democrat Party.

The military has learned its role and people have more communication channels, such as social media, to express their thoughts and, in a way, control politics.

He said the floods had been a factor forcing Thais to reunite, and the crisis had been a test for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She had quickly learned from it and would develop rapidly. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara , former Pheu Thai deputy leader, said he still saw uncertainty in Thai politics.

"The 1997 constitution was the People's Constitution, but it was scrapped. So there is no guarantee what will happen next," he said.

He added that the government must make clear how and what it would do to complete its policies, and for whom.

Transparency and the ability of the PM and her ministers to administrate the country, as well as bring it out of the problems it faces, would be key to the future, Parnpree said.

He raised by way of example the mistakes in the management of flood-relief kits. "Why has there been no penalty for any wrongdoers? This is a big issue. Unless action is taken, such [corruption] will happen again in the future."

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

[hellodolly]

As long as the red shirts are around we will not see a reconciliation.

red shirt villages shows us that it is my way or the highway from their point of view.