Panel processing political input ready to forward views to next panel to devise a ‘social contract’
The committee processing political input, chaired by Gen Surapong Suwanna-art, the Supreme Commander, has already completed its work, he said on Friday. And it is ready to be forwarded to the next panel that will formulate synchronised views on a “social contract” to help reconcile division among political parties.
The government process to forge reconciliation started in February. Political factions were invited to express their views on national reconciliation. State agencies also arranged stages around the country to hear from the public in a bid to bring about harmony after over 10 years of division around the country.
Despite the effort, some anti-junta activists declared that the process had not been truly inclusive and questioned whether it would come to fruition.
Gen Surapon said his committee had categorized opinions gathered from tens of thousands of people across the country into five groups.
They are points the junta has already covered or was working on, issues that the junta will kick-start immediately, he said, that can be put in action but will take time. But some need understanding by the public to prevent possible conflict before being put to work, and others need extra study before the start.
The committee found more than 60 per cent of the views gathered had already been done or initiated by the junta, so it was confident that this effort would yield concrete results, thanks to hard work by officials.
But since more than 60 per cent of the opinions gathered reflected issues raised by the first group, Gen Surapong said agencies would work to create understanding among people on what has already been done or is being worked on.
