Constitutional Drafting Committee should stick to its job

Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary contains the following definitions:

Amnesty – A decision that allows political prisoners to be free.

Con – a trick to (get somebody’s money or) make them do something you want.

Reconciliation – when two groups of people become friendly again after an argument.

Corruption – illegal, immoral or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in power.

Anek Laothamatas, chairman of the CDC sub-panel responsible for national reforms and reconciliation, should learn these definitions to see if they fit the current situation.

Amnesty is for political acts, not for corrupt ones. He should recognise the con that took place in 2010 and recognise that reconciliation is impossible unless it is accompanied by truth and remorse by any wrongdoers. Suthep has done what he said he would do. Now is the chance for others to prove they are sincere. Corruption needs to be exposed and toned down or eliminated, which I thought was what the CDC was about.

Richard Bowler

Bangkok