UDD ready to join reconciliation efforts but calls for new ‘people’s constitution’

The group, led by key figures such as Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua, Weng and Thida Tojirakarn, participated in the reconciliation talks at the Defence Ministry on Wednesday.
After a five-hour discussion, UDD spokesman Nattawut told reporters the group had proposed that after the new constitution came into effect and the situation had returned to normal, a new constitution should be written by the people to prevent conflicts from resurfacing.
“Although, reconciliation might be achieved this time, we still see the need to write a new constitution,” Nattawut said. “It should be written when sovereign power is in the hands of the people, with full public participation, with a national referendum held in an absolutely free atmosphere.”
Nattawut said the UDD had proposed that all the orders issued by the coup-makers that remained in effect should be nullified, including those under Article 44 of the 2014 interim charter. The former politician said these orders were an obstruction to the reconciliation process hence the group wanted the military to give thought to this proposal.
The UDD also suggested that any political cases in the past 10 years and in the future should enter the legal process so that the truth could come out, Nattawut said.
While saying the group would not raise the issues of amnesty or royal pardon, Nattawut said the UDD was only seeking fair trials with no discrimination. The powers that be should also ensure that all people affected by the past conflicts were properly compensated, he said.
More importantly, the UDD spokesman said the group wanted all sides to accept the truth and be sincere in participating in the reconciliation efforts, including the Army.
He said the UDD had urged the powers that be to create confidence among participants as without trust, it was impossible for groups to join in the talks and help bring about harmony.
Nattawut also said the UDD did not expect all its demands to be met, but was satisfied that it had been given some space to express its thoughts.
The rest should be left for the Por Yor Por to carry on, he added.
UDD president Jatuporn said the group had decided to join the talks because it had confidence that this would be successful.
He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had showed determination by quoting the King’s remarks about wanting to see peace in society.
Jatuporn said that all sides, including the UDD and the Army, should accept their mistakes.
The UDD, too, admitted that it had made some mistakes, he said. He said the group had joined the reconciliation efforts as they saw the possibility of more conflicts unless they joined the reconciliation efforts.