Army gathers opinions ahead of reconciliation’s ‘agreement of truth’
The Army is gathering opinions on reconciliation from various sectors as part of an “agreement of truth” to be signed by all political figures in the context of the national reconciliation preparation committee.
Armed Forces Chief General Surapong Suwana-Adth, who oversees the hearing process, said opinions were being collected from politicians from 46 parties and people from the academic, business, private and civil-society sectors.
The military has assumed the role of a middleman and facilitator among conflicting actors, particularly at the provincial level.
Some experts have also been invited to synthesise the opinions.
“All sides share the same good will for the country, that we should be reconciled and peaceful for future progress,” Surapong said. “There are just minor differences in details.”
Once gathered, the opinions will be forwarded to a subpanel on proposal making overseen by Army Commander-in-Chief General Chalermchai Sittisart, he added.
The generals have worked under a government committee to build reconciliation navigated by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, with the state goal to resolve years-long political conflicts among parties, partisan factions and the public.