Prawase calls on Thaksin to help forge genuine reconciliation

“You could see that as soon as the bill was proposed, people began to quarrel over it. However, I don’t think the resulting conflicts will be so violent as Thais have learned lessons and will be careful,” he said in an interview after speaking on reconciliation from the perspective of ordinary citizens.

In response to reporters’ questions, Prawase conceded that former prime minister Thaksin was now the most powerful person in the reconciliation process as he is giving orders from abroad to the government and the Pheu Thai Party. 

“I’d like to tell Thaksin that the best way to bring reconciliation to Thailand is to create a just society,” said Prawase. “Thaksin is a very capable person. If he can do this, it will be historic. One step could be decentralisation of power to community level. If power was devolved to communities, military coups would be prevented, corruption would be harder to execute and power struggles less frequent. We also need reforms for more justice in many systems.”

Prawase rejected the proposals that Thaksin should talk to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda in efforts towards a general amnesty to cover actions of the 2006 coup, saying that only creating justice, especially for the poor, would bring reconciliation.

Asked whether Thaksin should return to the country and face court cases against him, Prawase said, “Some people’s return can cause difficulties in society. [Former premier] Pridi Banomyong is an example – he had no case to face but he chose not to come back as he was worried it would cause possible conflicts. There are many who admire Thaksin and many who hate him. They might fight if he comes back. If he stays [in exile], he can control the government from afar.”

Political Development Council chairman Suchit Bunbongkarn, speaking recently in a separate forum on reconciliation, warned the government that pushing issues such as charter amendment without first reaching broad political agreement would lead to further conflict. He added that citizens should free themselves of the patronage system that made them a tool for politicians.

Gothom Arya, director of Mahidol University’s Research Centre for Peace Building, said the government must clarify its policy movements so as to quell rising fears over a hidden agenda. For example, it should make clear who were the stakeholders in the reconciliation bill and whether it was focused on easing Thaksin’s plight.