Thai Institute Warns Of 'Reconciliation War'

[webfact]

POLITICS

Institute warns of 'reconciliation war'

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI) yesterday strongly advised against a push for the House of Representatives to endorse reconciliation proposals contained in the institute's recent research report for fear of a new round of political violence.

It threatened to call back the report if the suggestion is ignored. The institute called for a broader debate of its proposals, involving political parties and different elements in society, to find reconciliation measures that are acceptable to larger groups, and not just certain political parties.

KPI secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno called a news conference after yesterday's meeting of the institute's council. He said KPI had made its suggestions to the House committee on national reconciliation, which then made its proposals to Parliament based on the institute's study.

The reconciliation panel, headed by former coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, recently picked up some proposals from the KPI report. Among the more controversial proposals were granting general amnesty to all those involved in the political conflict and expunging legal cases stemming from investigations by the post-coup Assets Examination Committee.

The lower house is scheduled to debate the Sonthi panel's reconciliation proposals today.

Borwornsak said that to prevent renewed conflict and violence, KPI suggested that the reconciliation panel's term be extended until the end of the next parliamentary session to allow involvement of political parties and different social elements into the discussion "to find an exit for the country together".

The panel's term is due to end at the end of this month.

KPI is an independent academic organisation under parliamentary supervision.

"The institute is pleased to work with the reconciliation committee in holding a forum to find solutions for the country," Borwornsak said, before warning that KPI would call back its copyrighted research report if the House votes to endorse part of its reconciliation proposals.

"This is to prevent a 'war of reconciliation' or 'winner's justice', which could lead to violent conflict," he said.

Critics and members of the opposition have accused the government of trying to take advantage of its parliamentary majority in pushing for selective reconciliation measures deemed to benefit certain politicians, particularly former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"The first proposal by the researchers is that no atmosphere of reconciliation has yet existed," Borwornsak said. "One side sets up red-shirt villages and has websites that are critical of the country's top institution [referring to the monarchy] while the other side threatens to hold street demonstrations. These are the same old behaviours.

"As there is no reconciliation and no change in behaviour, you cannot rush it," he said.

KPI deputy secretary-general and head researcher Woothisarn Tanchai said there should be no rush in deciding on the reconciliation measures, or there could be a new round of violence.

"A joint stance is to find a solution together and take the responsibility together to prevent violence occurring again," he said.

He called on the government and the legislature to base their decisions on mutually acceptable ground.

When asked whether there would be conflict if the ruling Pheu Thai Party pushes its reconciliation law through Parliament to grant amnesty to some people, Borwornsak said Pheu Thai would lose its legitimacy and would be held responsible for the consequences.

Sonthi, the reconciliation panel's chairman, said he did not think there would be any problem if KPI decided to withdraw its research report.

Pheu Thai MP Udomdej Ratansathien, who is a member of the panel, said there was no need to extend the committee's term because it had completed its work.

-- The Nation 2012-04-04

[Lifer]

Thai reconciliation, the world for that matter) is similar to the way posters go at each other.

[CalgaryII]

"KPI is an independent academic organisation under parliamentary supervision"

I've been wondering about this so made some inquiries, or checked with "sources" as the media likes to say. I received the following response:

• Historically these KPI group of Academics were closely tied to Democrat Party and Amart perspectives.
  
• This recent seemingly more independent approach, is suspected to be at the direction of 'some significant other's" who wish to move to a more (re)conciliatory approach.
  
• It is speculated the same behind-the-scenes strings are pulling at Sonthi.
  
• There is more cohesion and 'working together' than may be obvious.
  

Edited April 4, 2012 by CalgaryII

[OzMick]

"KPI is an independent academic organisation under parliamentary supervision"

I've been wondering about this so made some inquiries, or checked with "sources" as the media likes to say. I received the following response:

• Historically these KPI group of Academics were closely tied to Democrat Party and Amart perspectives.
  
• This recent seemingly more independent approach, is suspected to be at the direction of 'some significant other's" who wish to move to a more (re)conciliatory approach.
  
• It is speculated the same behind-the-scenes strings are pulling at Sonthi.
  
• There is more cohesion and 'working together' than may be obvious.
  

I suggest that the sauces you checked with were tomato and chili - both decidedly red. I also suspect Sonthi has sold his soul in his efforts to whitewash his new master.

OTOH the committee is pointing out that it was not advocating "winner's justice" or the picking out of the item(s) that suit PTP's dirty little agenda. I know you will find this idea hard to grasp, after all they won the election.

[Sing_Sling]

It threatened to call back the report if the suggestion is ignored.

. . . and they'll hold their breath until they turn

in the face . . .

Seriously, how old are these people . . . Entitlement issues at their worst

Edited April 4, 2012 by Sing_Sling

[Unkomoncents]

And there's the typical complete failure to understand the meaning of a word. If there is no reconciliation, then there can be no "reconciliation war". It would simply be known as a "war". Usually the term "civil war" would be applied because it would be elements (pitted against one another) within the Thai social fabric and larger than an insurgency. It's an unfortunate situation in so many ways...so many ways...

[hellodolly]

KPI is an independent academic organization under parliamentary supervision.

And parliament is under the guidance (direction) of Thaksin.

How doe's the PT figure having their red shirt militia set up red villages is going to bring reconciliation?

[animatic]

It is impossible to reconcile when the books are always being cooked. Ask any accountant.

Things can NEVER add up, they can only be swept under the carpet or hidden from view.

Edited April 4, 2012 by animatic

[pimay11]

KPI is an independent academic organization under parliamentary supervision.

And parliament is under the guidance (direction) of Thaksin.

How doe's the PT figure having their red shirt militia set up red villages is going to bring reconciliation?

That is not the intent of PT. Although some of the red shirt people really believe they are standing for democracy (which they have no idea what the word means, just ask one) they are only considered useful idiots to the PT.

PT's first and foremost goal is to bring their dear leader back free of all charges and recover his ill-gotten gains pure and simple. Everything else is just window dressing. By not condemning the establishment of these red villages simply proves their agenda. Anyone who doesn't know this is either new to Thailand or totally uninformed or has an IQ equal to room temperature in centigrade.

[tlansford]

"KPI is an independent academic organisation under parliamentary supervision"

I've been wondering about this so made some inquiries, or checked with "sources" as the media likes to say. I received the following response:

• Historically these KPI group of Academics were closely tied to Democrat Party and Amart perspectives.
  
• This recent seemingly more independent approach, is suspected to be at the direction of 'some significant other's" who wish to move to a more (re)conciliatory approach.
  
• It is speculated the same behind-the-scenes strings are pulling at Sonthi.
  
• There is more cohesion and 'working together' than may be obvious.
  

the cohesion actually seems rather obvious. My guess from the shifting winds is that it started around the end of January / beginning of February.

[lannarebirth]

^{"Reconciliation War" ?}

[yoshiwara]

'Critics and members of the opposition have accused the government of trying to take advantage of its parliamentary majority in pushing for selective reconciliation measures deemed to benefit certain politicians, particularly former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra'

For sure. They hardly bother to disguise.

[MAJIC]

KPI is an independent academic organization under parliamentary supervision.

And parliament is under the guidance (direction) of Thaksin.

How doe's the PT figure having their red shirt militia set up red villages is going to bring reconciliation?

That is not the intent of PT. Although some of the red shirt people really believe they are standing for democracy (which they have no idea what the word means, just ask one) they are only considered useful idiots to the PT.

PT's first and foremost goal is to bring their dear leader back free of all charges and recover his ill-gotten gains pure and simple. Everything else is just window dressing. By not condemning the establishment of these red villages simply proves their agenda. Anyone who doesn't know this is either new to Thailand or totally uninformed or has an IQ equal to room temperature in centigrade.

Exactly,and then the Red Shirts and their Red Villagers will need a period of reality adjustment,to realise they have been used,and the wealth is not coming their way any time soon.

The truth will slowly dawn,that they are no better off than before,the extra 100 baht a day,which will probably be eroded,by inflation,reckless spending,and poor financial decisions.

[NanLaew]

It is impossible to reconcile when the books are always being cooked. Ask any accountant.

Things can NEVER add up, they can only be swept under the carpet or hidden from view.

The problem is that there's so much sh!t under that carpet now, it is a serious tripping hazard!

"Reconciliation War"... is that anything like fighting for peace or f*cking for virginity?

[animatic]

It is impossible to reconcile when the books are always being cooked. Ask any accountant.

Things can NEVER add up, they can only be swept under the carpet or hidden from view.

The problem is that there's so much sh!t under that carpet now, it is a serious tripping hazard!

"Reconciliation War"... is that anything like fighting for peace or f*cking for virginity?

"WAR IS PEACE"

"FREEDOM IS SLAVERY"

"IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH"

RECONCILIATION IS PROFITABLE for the winner.

Reconciliation is one side getting to cook the books and not the other.

Top Dog is better than all Other Dogs, better to be Top Dog, or die trying.

And the most obvious one:

LIES ARE TRUTH

if repeated enough.

Edited April 7, 2012 by metisdead
Font size reset. Posting in all capitals or in all bold, and using large or unusual fonts and colors is bad netiquette.

[animatic]

KPI is an independent academic organization under parliamentary supervision.

And parliament is under the guidance (direction) of Thaksin.

How doe's the PT figure having their red shirt militia set up red villages is going to bring reconciliation?

That is not the intent of PT. Although some of the red shirt people really believe they are standing for democracy (which they have no idea what the word means, just ask one) they are only considered useful idiots to the PT.

PT's first and foremost goal is to bring their dear leader back free of all charges and recover his ill-gotten gains pure and simple. Everything else is just window dressing. By not condemning the establishment of these red villages simply proves their agenda. Anyone who doesn't know this is either new to Thailand or totally uninformed or has an IQ equal to room temperature in centigrade.

Exactly,and then the Red Shirts and their Red Villagers will need a period of reality adjustment,to realise they have been used,and the wealth is not coming their way any time soon.

The truth will slowly dawn,that they are no better off than before,the extra 100 baht a day,which will probably be eroded,by inflation,reckless spending,and poor financial decisions.

Let's not forget the wage hike in the Bangkok area, but general price rises EVERYWHERE.

[h90]

"reconciliation war" that sounds like the title of one of these 0.99 USD SiFi books....

English isn't my first language but "reconciliation war" sounds a bit strange....

[Thai at Heart]

Presumably reconciliation has to start with BOTH sides admitting that they may have done something and wrong, and thus showing mutual regret for their actions.

I am sorry, but admitting fault is mutually exclusive of keeping face, so why does anyone believe that reconciliation is possible?

[sparebox2]

'Critics and members of the opposition have accused the government of trying to take advantage of its parliamentary majority in pushing for selective reconciliation measures deemed to benefit certain politicians, particularly former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra'

For sure. They hardly bother to disguise.

Next election, let the loosing party choose a PM.

Pref in the army barrack

[sparebox2]

"reconciliation war" that sounds like the title of one of these 0.99 USD SiFi books....

English isn't my first language but "reconciliation war" sounds a bit strange....

It is like, war between 2 good Gods.