Group seeks peaceful end to turmoil
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Political hatred and vendettas have become a major problem in Thai society and are preventing a solution being found to the political crisis, a new network formed to prevent political violence has said.

Pratabjit Neelapaijit, a political scientist at Mahidol University and member of the Network for Re-imagining Conflicts, urged all sides to cease using weapons and make a joint pledge to do this.

She also called for designated safe zones to be established.

The network, which issued a statement on Thursday, also urged all sides to solve political conflicts without violence and denounce all forms of violence.

The group vowed to educate the public about how conflicts could be solved peacefully, and teach Thais to co-exist peacefully and foster its peace message in the media.

Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, a political scientist at Thammasat University and member of the network, said it was imperative that all citizens try to avoid physical violence. She said people would have to learn to accept that there were different versions of reality.

Surichai Wungaew, a retired professor of sociology at Chulalongkorn University, said people should break the false dichotomy that there are only two groups in society and that by destroying the other group there can be democracy.

-- The Nation 2014-05-10

I'm with you girl but it will never happen. Political demonstrations and the act of overthrowing governments is a sacred ceremony in Thailand and held every 18 months.

It is part of the Thai Culture just like Songkran and Loy Krathong

Noble and sympathetic, but as long as the big bad spider in Dubai is around it will be dreaming only

Freedom of Thai people to choose a Government for the people

that means freedom of speech

I am for the freedom of Thai people to choose a Government for the people

not for their bank books, and that goes for both sides

So until Thai's are allowed the right to say what they feel openly any where in Thailand, there is not freedom of speech

With out freedom of speech there can never be a democratic government or a fair elections

Until freedom of speech is allowed by Red shirts in the North

The North of Thailand is under the rule of a dictator

Peace can occur if the following groups are cooperating. The judicial group, military group, EC, medias and government meet up to set up to discuss and set up a voting date. Don't play along with Suthep. His motive is too destructive for the nation. The medias should stop promoting that crazy man. Any important reforms should be on the ballots. The ballot information should be televised and published to educate the people so they can make the appropriate decision.

Basic Reform before the next election

and

No 1) we need freedom of speech by all parties in all areas

No 2) Section 102 Enforced

A person under any of the following prohibitions shall have no right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(6) having been expelled, dismissed or removed from the official service, a State agency or a State enterprise on the ground of dishonest performance of duties or corruption;

3) All parties yellow and red to abide by the rule of law

The Thai boys from the "re-imagining" network are speaking out. This Thai writer takes them seriously.