'Let both sides govern in coalition'

ONE POSSIBLE way of achieving sustainable reconciliation would be to create a coalition government comprised of the two main rival political parties, key members of the National Reform Council (NRC)’s reconciliation panel suggested yesterday.

The panel’s chairman Anek Laothamatas also said an independent commission would be created to help achieve true reconciliation, and that it would be tasked with fact-finding, compensation and proposed bills for pardons. 

The idea of setting up an independent panel for reconciliation has been proposed by both NRC and the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC). 

Ekachai Srivilas, also from the NRC panel, said the new commission would discuss all facts at hand, and would try and solve as many conflict-related issues as it can. 

Anek added that one of the key mechanisms to achieve sustainable reconciliation would be to have both conflicting political parties – the Democrats and Pheu Thai – work together in a coalition government. If that was possible reconciliation would be achieved, he said. 

Ekachai backed the idea, citing the success achieved in Northern Ireland as an example. He said two rival parties in Northern Ireland were brought together to form a coalition, and it was the first government in 40 years to last a full term. 

He said although there were some disagreements in terms of administration, they did not result in conflict. 

 

‘Northern Ireland formula may work’

Ekachai said the conflicts in Thailand are similar to those in Northern Ireland in many respects, such as rows stemming from contrasting principles on democracy and justice. 

He said for this independent commission to achieve true success, it would have to use previous studies, set clear targets and have a practical approach. 

He said a new by-law would be drafted and passed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) before the new charter is put into effect, as the reconciliation commission had to start working right away. 

Ekachai said the initial plan was to create a commission comprised of the two politically conflicting groups and middlemen who are respected by both sides, adding that no matter what happens, leaders of the two parties must be brought together. 

These ideas were aired at a seminar on reconciliation yesterday that was co-hosted by the CDC, the NRC and Thai Reform Institute of Rangsit University.

Nicha Hirunburana Thuwatham, another member of the NRC reconciliation panel, said the first step would be for the junta, the NRC, NLA, CDC and the Cabinet to create rules that are acceptable to all sides. She also said that those in power should learn from past mistakes and instil a sense of justice in society via means such as compensation and faster legal processes. 

Meanwhile, ex-Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai said he believed reconciliation could only be achieved by holding elections and granting an amnesty. 

He said granting people amnesty would be key, because some of those being punished still believe in their innocence and think they are being treated unfairly. 

Hence, he said, true reconciliation could not be achieved through the justice system, adding that amnesty should only cover political cases.