It may be time for all sides to review their strategies

The main event holding people’s attention was the political reform forum initiated by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Most political observers have been hoping this forum will help solve the conflicts and shape the country for a better future. 

Before kicking off the forum, Yingluck – who also holds the Defence portfolio – led military top brass to Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda’s home to wish him a happy birthday. 

At the meeting, an informed source said Prem advised the Army chiefs to provide full support for Yingluck. Perhaps this comment from Prem paints a clearer picture for Thailand’s political future. 

Everybody knows that ties between Prem and the PM’s older brother, Thaksin, had soured. This is probably why Yingluck has been working so hard to smooth things over since she became PM. 

Initially, it appeared as if her efforts were in vain. But as they say, perseverance leads to success and she appears to have finally achieved some success judging from Prem’s supportive word of advice. 

Though some political observers choose not to place much stock in what Prem said, others have spotted a glimmer at the end of the tunnel, at least in terms of the tension starting to ease. After all, Prem seems to have offered an olive branch and Thaksin seems like he’s trying to ease relations with the Privy Council president. Maybe he has realised that this fight will only end up with both sides losing. 

Now that the game at centre stage seems to be almost over, the next question that arises is what role will the rest of the parties play in this divided society. 

The biggest burden, of course, is on the opposition Democrat Party, whose recent street campaigns and filibustering in Parliament has had more of a negative impact on their image. Also, the framework of their battle remains weak and they don’t seem to be able to look beyond Thaksin or move forward in a sustainable, principled manner. 

Though the “People’s Army against the Thaksin Regime” is still rallying at Lumpini Park, the number of participants had dropped down to a few hundred. Also, the Democrats were further isolated after leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) – which once successfully mobilised the masses leading to Thaksin’s ouster – announced last Friday that they were stepping down as they couldn’t make any more sacrifices until there was a guarantee of long-term results. They cited the limitations placed upon them by court for this decision, adding that the younger generation of the PAD could join any rally they prefer, which has made people wonder if this will lead to an unpredictable situation now that the yellow shirts have no leaders. 

Meanwhile, over on the red-shirt side – it is obvious that nobody will ever do anything to harm Thaksin, there is still a small camp that is standing against the amnesty bill and is demanding justice for those who died in the 2010 crackdown. 

So, now is perhaps the time for all sides to sit down, review their strategies and make a final decision or just decide what script they choose to follow.