Thai talk: Banharn's exercise in futility

[webfact]

THAI TALK
Banharn's exercise in FUTILITY

BANGKOK: -- Nobody should be disappointed if Banharn Silapa-archa, the official "coordinator" of the government's "reform council", also known as the official reconciliation initiative, fails in his mission to get the "other side" on the bandwagon.

That's because expectations were never high in the first place when Premier Yingluck Shinawatra put him in charge of pushing through the reconciliation process. In fact, the 81-year-old politician admitted from the outset that he would consider it a "success" if he could get 10 per cent of the job done.

Why is 10 per cent an acceptable performance? "Because the prime minister herself has said that even if she could achieve 1 per cent of the goal, that would be considered progress," Banharn said.

By that standard, even non-starts might be regarded as achievements under the prevailing circumstances.

So, why is Banharn wasting his time calling upon such well-known figures as Anand Panyarachun, Dr Prawase Wasi and Sondhi Limthongkul, with the very public gesture of inviting them to join the government's reconciliation plan? And why did he think he could change the mind of opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva by paying him a well-publicised visit?

Banharn is no novice in politics. He knew right from the beginning that the government was using him as bait. He readily accepted the role because he needs to keep his Chat Thai Pattana Party in the ruling coalition. At the same time, he also knew that he could draw publicity from photo opportunities with the "other side". He didn't have to succeed in his effort. He simply had to go through the motions.

After all, he managed to win a place in history by promoting "political reform" when he was prime minister, and kicked off a process that ended with the 1997 Constitution that was hailed as one of the most liberal charters ever.

Banharn is a true expert in the ballot-casting game. He knows how to win elections. He doesn't have to be a believer in free and fair voting. But he does have to make public statements about democracy when the timing and public mood is right. Now, with reconciliation the buzzword, he is ready to play along - even though he knows it's not going to get anywhere.

For a veteran who will do anything to avoid being outside the circles of power, Banharn has no hesitation to dance along when the music starts. And it doesn't matter who the conductor is. The only thing he cares about is not to miss the cue.

It came as no surprise to him or anyone else, therefore, when former premier Anand neither said yes or no to his invitation to join the reform council. Anand knew how to handle Banharn. They were all smiles, and polite greetings were exchanged. Reporters and cameramen were there, expecting the expected words and photos.

Banharn did his part and Anand played according to his own script. He told his visitor that of course he was all for national reconciliation, but first "trust" must be built by all parties concerned. It is impossible to disagree with that statement. A happy meeting was had by all. It was the fact that the meeting took place that really mattered. The result wasn't the point.

The same scene was repeated when Banharn met Dr Prawase, who expressed full support for reconciliation but suggested very politely that he would be more useful observing from the outside rather than jumping into the arena.

That was fine with Banharn, too. He wasn't there to be given a big "yes" by the well-known social commentator. He was there to be seen shaking hands and posing for a picture for the evening news and the next day's newspapers.

It was when he met Sondhi Limthongkul of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) that all the fun - and tough questioning - began.

Banharn described the PAD leader as "my old friend". And Sondhi gave him a very warm welcome before posing a few questions that would have embarrassed a less-experienced politician.

But Banharn is no greenhorn. He obviously knew that he was in for a grilling. But he was confident he could somehow handle Sondhi, who was also determined not to appear to be swayed by "elder brother" Banharn.

It was an obvious question: What does Banharn really think of Thaksin? Is he being used by Thaksin to absolve him from guilt?

Then came the exchange that summed up the whole "reconciliation" exercise:

Sondhi: "If Parliament passes a law or tries to take action to help Thaksin, would you go along?"

Banharn: "I don't want to answer this question. It's difficult to answer this question. It's sensitive."

Of course, he had expected the Thaksin question to be raised. Of course, he knew he couldn't answer the question. And he wasn't even embarrassed saying he couldn't answer the most important question of the whole reconciliation exercise.


-- The Nation 2013-09-19

[worgeordie]

Has Khun Banharn realized yet what he is trying to is futile ,or will he try

to save face and solider on.

regards Worgeordie

[timewilltell]

Thai politics - all pomp and no circumstance