Banharn ready to join reform council

[Lite Beer]

Banharn ready to join reform council
The Sunday Nation


BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa yesterday agreed to become part of a political reform council to be set up by the government as part of an effort to achieve national reconciliation.

Banharn, who is chief adviser to the coalition Chat Thai Pattana Party, accepted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's invitation delivered to him by Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana and PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, as well as other senior figures from the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

He said that he believed efforts for reform and reconciliation would succeed if the conflicting parties buried the hatchet and forgot about the past.

"I want the opposition and the government to sit down and talk together. They should forget about their dispute," Banharn said. The prime minister, on Friday night announced a plan in a televised statement that the government would this coming week invite representatives from all such groups to discuss and exchange views on how to undertake political reform.

In her weekly address broadcast yesterday morning, Yingluck said the political conflict still existed despite efforts for reconciliation, and therefore there was a need for political reform.

She said about 50 to 100 people would be invited to join the forum.

"Political parties need to think about the future for the sake of the people and the country. There may be only a one per cent chance of success but we have to try. It's better than leaving the conflict to our children and grandchildren," she said.

However, the House debate on an amnesty bill proposed by government MPs would continue as planned. The prime minister said she would attend the House debate on Wednesday.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on the prime minister to have the bill withdrawn. He said the draft law, which would grant amnesty to criminal offenders during the unrest of 2010, was the cause for a new round of confrontation.

The Democrat Party leader described the prime minister's plan for political reform as an image-building move. He said the government had failed to prevent its supporters from intimidating its political enemies and the courts after certain verdicts.

A group of 40 senators yesterday also questioned the government's sincerity in reforming the political system in a bid to achieve reconciliation. "If the government really wants all the parties to sit down and talk, she should first show sincerity by withdrawing the amnesty bill and then tell government supporters not to intimidate others," Senator Prasarn Marukapitak said.

Election Commission member Sodsri Satayathum yesterday expressed her support for the plan to set up a political reform council. She said talks between the conflicting sides were a good beginning to settle differences between them.

-- The Nation 2013-08-04

[bigbamboo]

The senator is right.

Dropping the amnesty bill would remove the biggest barrier to reconciliation. Then take it from there.

Edited August 4, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Stradavarius37]

The sooner Barnham goes the way of Samak and Sanoh, the better for the country.?

[NongKhaiKid]

The senator is right.

Dropping the amnesty bill would remove the biggest barrier to reconciliation. Then take it from there.

Yes definitely as is telling the reds to stop intimidation but neither are likely yo happen.

This new forum with handpicked members is just another dog and pony show

[Pimay1]

It looks loike the ducks are lining up.

[asdecas]

The sooner Barnham goes the way of Samak and Sanoh, the better for the country.?

Well yes, I agree up to a point, but these political dinosaurs never seem to fade away completely in Thailand; when one finally sheds his mortal carapace and goes to the great somtam in the sky, there's always a son, daughter or neophyte to take his place. It's the system that needs rooting, but I suppose you could say the same in most countries.

[siampolee]

Of course ''The Slippery Eel'' needs to be involved. This political Dinosaur is one of the last of the corrupt few left who supported and still does support Thaksin and reaped the rewards.

As has been said the sooner he joins Samak and Sanoh the better it will be for Thailand

[Bluespunk]

"He said that he believed efforts for reform and reconciliation would succeed if the conflicting parties buried the hatchet and forgot about the past."

That's fine as long as criminal deeds such as arson, murder, fraud etc are not included in this reconciliation bill.

[Payboy]

Banharn ready to join reform council

In other news Fox Offers To Guard Henhouse.

[ezzra]

What is it now he's like a 100 year old by now and still meddling in politics?, when will

all dose mummified dinosaurs politicians will go away and stay away?

[h90]

The sooner Barnham goes the way of Samak and Sanoh, the better for the country.?

Well yes, I agree up to a point, but these political dinosaurs never seem to fade away completely in Thailand; when one finally sheds his mortal carapace and goes to the great somtam in the sky, there's always a son, daughter or neophyte to take his place. It's the system that needs rooting, but I suppose you could say the same in most countries.

Well the dinosaurs get replaced with new dinosaurs. Do you think a Chalerm is any better than Barnharn?

[CIHUAHUA]

Too many ministers and not enough administers.

[Estrada]

Of course ''The Slippery Eel'' needs to be involved. This political Dinosaur is one of the last of the corrupt few left who supported and still does support Thaksin and reaped the rewards.

As has been said the sooner he joins Samak and Sanoh the better it will be for Thailand

That is not true. It was Banharn, Sanan and Aphisit that went on TV denouncing Thaksin whilst Thaksin was in the US on Government business, making him an outlaw on the basis of corruption.

Banharn went against Thaksin because Thaksin tried to keep Banharn from earning pocket money from Tasty mega projects. He is known as the slippery eel because he always tries to cross the house if his party fails at the General Election so that he can get a slice of the action.

I agree with you that the Country would be better off if we had "Mai Mee Banharn"