Anek positive about reconciliation prospects after meeting political prisoners
Play
A key member of the National Reform Council (NRC) visited 19 political prisoners Tuesday to explore ways to bring about national reconciliation and pardons for people caught up in political conflict.
Anek Laothamatas, chairman of the NRC committee on studies for national reconciliation, visited Bangkok Special Remand Prison Tuesday and held a discussion with 19 prisoners – mostly middle-aged men (with the oldest 62) – to exchange views on how to bring about reconciliation.
Anek held a press conference after the meeting, saying all of those he met had confessed to their crimes and he saw a light of hope when prisoners from a different political spectrum voiced concern for a fellow political prisoner who need urgent medical attention because he was at risk of going blind.
Anek said all inmates asked him to push for pardons, adding that they told him they wished to see a return to peace and no political conflict.
