Reconciliation a long way off

Allow me to add some valid points:

First, the Thai military should realise now that coups are not acceptable as a solution to our country’s problems. The antagonising red shirts and yellow shirts should not come out to confront each other to the point of thousands of deaths in the streets. That of course will warrant another military action in the form of a coup.

Second, the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) late last year cited a Constitution Court verdict on the case of the “hidden assets” of Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004 – that resulted in the acquittal of Thaksin – as a root cause of the violent events in our country. The case should be reopened, and the judges whose actions were suspicious investigated. If the people concerned are found guilty of malfeasance, they should be punished according to the law.

Third, Thaksin himself should realise that he is at the centre of Thailand’s divisiveness. The country was fairly prosperous and very peaceful before he came into politics. Now it is polarised to the point of breaking. Unless he voluntarily quits his political activities, peace and reconciliation will be as elusive as ever. Sometimes smart people do not make good leaders. What we need most at the moment are sincere folks at the helm of government.

Vint Chavala

Lamphun