Reconciliation committee just govt’s excuse to buy time, says Pheu Thai

After the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the panel will be appointed by the lower House and will include representatives from different parties, the Senate, members of Parliament and pro-democracy activists. Also on Wednesday, Prayut agreed to “switch off” the unelected Senate’s power to vote for a prime minister, but insisted he will not resign.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantarawongthong said the reconciliation committee was unnecessary and was merely a bid for the government to buy time.
“Pheu Thai Party and the opposition will not join this committee. The government should listen and respond to MPs’ proposals directly instead of handing the responsibility over to someone else,” he said.
“The proposals that the opposition presented at the Parliament’s extraordinary session are clear: The PM must resign and arrested protest leaders released. The PM has just these two jobs.”
He added that the next step will be for the opposition to file a no-confidence motion against the premier and ensure the Constitution amendment is complete.
Suthin Klungsaeng, the chief Pheu Thai whip, also said this reconciliation committee will only serve as a shield and allow the government to remain in power.
“To solve this crisis in the short term, we will need to amend Section 272 of the Constitution to take away senators’ powers to vote for a PM, while in the long run, we need to set up a charter drafting panel to draft an entirely new Constitution,” he said. “As for political protests, I believe the situation will improve once solutions become clearer.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai said he agrees with the idea of setting up a reconciliation committee and has contacted King Prajadhipok's Institute to help design the panel’s structure and responsibilities.
“The institute has members who are qualified and experienced in politics and should be able to find a suitable solution, as well as invite representatives of protestors to join the committee,” he said. “However, the setting up of committee is still being studied and it will have to be presented to Parliament for approval.”
Palang Pracharat MP Wirat Rattanset, who is also chief coalition whip, said after the Wednesday meeting that he is confident Parliament will start considering the draft of charter amendments by mid-November.
“This draft will cover proposals by the opposition and general public, as well as details on setting up a charter drafting assembly,” he added.