Reform forum needs opposition to be deemed credible

Many people have been invited to take part in the forum, while government opponents and critics are showing their suspicion by turning down invitations for them to join.

Those government rivals and detractors say they suspect that this political-reform idea is just a government attempt to buy time, amid mounting opposition against an amnesty bill proposed by a group of Pheu Thai Party MPs.

They also question the government’s sincerity in seeking a way for the country to get out of the current political conflict.

It appears the government has opted to ignore such criticism. The administration is going full steam to get more and more people into the proposed political reform forum. It also is counterattacking critics and opposition politicians by accusing them of trying to block a reform effort.

Among the people who have been invited to join the forum, most can be considered close to the government or politicians in power.

Former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa is chief adviser to the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party’s leader and its patriarch. Former deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop is believed to be the de facto leader of the coalition Chart Pattana Party.

Ex-PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has retained his close ties with the ruling Pheu Thai Party and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is believed to be pulling the strings behind the party. Former Democrat Party leader Bhichai Rattakul has publicly shown his admiration towards the ruling party on many occasions, and he has been at odds with the current Democrat leadership.

Former Senate Speaker Ukrit Mongkolnavin, who chairs the government-appointed Independent National Rule of Law Commission, has aired viewpoints compatible with those of the government. Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij has been close to Pheu Thai politicians. Kramol Tongdhamachart headed a Constitutional Court that ruled in favour of Thaksin in 2001 in an asset-concealment case.

It appears that among those who have accepted the invitation, only Gothom Arya, a key campaigner for a peaceful approach, is clearly politically neutral. Representatives from the private sector, such as the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, have yet to accept the government invitation.

The government should be aware that political reform will not succeed without the participation of people who stand opposite the politicians in power, because the proposed forum is aimed at achieving national reconciliation. The feeling of animosity should first be eliminated to allow conflicting sides to work together and reach that goal.

It is therefore important to include all the parties involved in the reform forum. However, considering the position taken by politicians in power, people may question their sincerity.

There have been words of contempt and intimidation, instead of words of goodwill and amity suitable for reconciliation.

Without participation from the opposition, the government’s reform forum will lack credibility and is unlikely to lead to genuine reconciliation. If the government is sincere, it should change its hard-line standpoint, which is destined to fail, and will be a waste of time.

The government certainly will not like failure, unless this reform idea is just a political tool meant to discredit its political enemies.