And what about Thaksin?
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I have a question to ask about reform and reconciliation: How can reform or reconciliation occur if there still is an elephant in the room - Thaksin Shinawatra?
I mean, Thaksin has used reconciliation as a facade to ram through an amnesty law that could have allowed him to escape punishment for his past crimes. And as a result, the May 22 coup leaders are now trying to erect a national reform to minimise, or even destroy, Thaksin’s influence over the country.
In my opinion, all sensible Thais should say to one man, Thaksin, that he should respect the country’s constitution and law and quit planning and conniving against this country.
As it is, Thaksin’s position is not good either: his chance of returning to the country will be even more distant if time is allowed to drag on.
Imagine this: if only Thaksin sets foot in Thailand today, there is no guarantee that people will not gather at police stations across the country – to level a lese majeste accusation against him.
Last but not least, there are only those who have trespassed the lese majeste law that are desperate for a change, or abolition, of the law itself.
And that is truer than anything you can imagine, my friends.
Vint Chavala
Bangkok
