Banharn offers new solution to heal divide
CHART THAI PATTANA Party's de facto leader Banharn Silapa-archa told the media yesterday that his solution for the political divide would be to invite all sides to join the government for a year before dissolving the House. However, he admitted that this
“Would it be possible for everyone to come and run the nation? Or should we ask some representatives from different political parties to join the administration?” he asked.
Meanwhile, Ukrit Mongkol-navin, a former Senate speaker, said yesterday that the council of senior advisers he has proposed would have no power over government, Parliament or the judiciary.
As chairman of the government-appointed Independent National Rule of Law Commission, Ukrit suggested a council be established to address the looming political crisis.
He said the council could be made up of former PMs, Parliament presidents and Supreme Court presidents. Ukrit voiced the idea when government representatives met him on Monday to discuss political reform under PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s initiative. He added that respected national figures would be invited to work on the council and their appointment could be royally endorsed. “I believe the society will listen to their words of wisdom,” he said.
Maj-General Pissanu Putha-wong, chief of the Office of General Prem Tinsulanonda Statesman Foundation, said the government had not invited Prem to join the council. “I have no idea if he will join. Prem has made it clear that he does not want to get involved in politics. Though he rarely says anything, he follows the situation closely as he is concerned about the problems,” he said.
Separately, former PM General Suchinda Kraprayoon said he would not join the council, if invited, because of poor health. Suchinda spoke to the press at an event where military friends and businessmen gathered to wish him a happy 80th birthday.
“My health is not as good as it used to be, so I’m afraid I will just waste other people’s time. Political reform and national reconciliation are good for the country. If they succeed, I congratulate them,’’ he said.
Former PM Anand Panyara-chun yesterday dismissed as groundless a report in an English-language newspaper that he had been asked to join the so-called political reform council. Anand’s spokesman said the former leader had not been contacted and he had not made any statements on the proposed council.
