‘Multi-Colours’ give PM Abhisit 2-month deadline for a more tangible road map

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) – Leaders of Thailand’s Multi-Coloured shirted group (MCs) met Friday with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, stating the group’s opposition to early House dissolution and giving the premier a two-month deadline to translate into action his reconciliation road map.

The multi-coloured group led by Dr Tul Sitthisomwong and representatives from the Thailand social networking Facebook anti-House dissolution page which has about 500,000 members met with the prime minister regarding their positions over the recently-announced reconciliation plan.

Dr Tul said his group does not want the prime minister to dissolve Parliament too early and under pressure of the Red Shirt protesters.

Mr Abhisit on Monday announced his five-point road map for national reconciliation to end the ongoing political crisis which has resulted in continued street protests, clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters and a series of grenade attacks in the Thai capital.

The premier also set a new general election for November 14, if the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) participates in his road map and ends its month-long protest at Bangkok’s prime ommercial area.

The Red Shirts accepted the premier’s proposal but vowed to stay at Ratchaprasong intersection until a specific date for the House dissolution is announced, while its rival Yellow Shirts, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), opposed the premier’s plan, saying it represents the mutual consent between the prime minister and the Reds.

After clarifying the road map with the Yellow Shirt leaders on Thursday, Mr Abhisit invited the multi-coloured group who has recently launched campaign supporting Mr Abhisit’s premiership and opposing to the Red Shirt’s demand of House dissolution.

Dr Tul explained after the meeting that it is impossible to implement the premier’s five points and produce fruitful results in a short period of time.
However, the group will give Mr Abhisit until June to turn his plan into action, especially legal action against the protest leaders and protection of the monarchy.

“We disagree with an amnesty for former executives of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, the People’s Power Party and other dissolved parties,” said Dr Tul. “The premier recently said that public voices will be heeded in dealing with any political case, maybe through a referendum, but no amnesty will be granted for those who face charges for committing criminal offences.”

The Multi-Colours reiterated they disagreed with the charter amendment regarding six issues as earlier proposed by a committee for reconciliation, political reform and Constitutional amendment, saying the amendments cannot solve the problems.

Dr Tul reasoned the Constitution is not the cause of the problem, but corrupt politicians and vote buying is. So he has proposed a stricter law to take those politicians into legal processes and election bans.

“For our next moves, we are ready to end the move immediately if the Red Shirts disperse,” said Dr Tul. “We will instead organise academic forum and seminar to educate the public.”

Meanwhile, key Red Shirt leaders are scheduled to meet Friday afternoon over the group’s position after the Democrat Party resolved to support the prime minister’s reconciliation plan.

UDD leader Natthawut Saikua said the Red Shirts have accepted the road map since the beginning and will take into account the resolutions of the Democrat Party and its coalition partners.

“This afternoon, the Red Shirt leaders will discuss that issue to make a final decision, said the UDD leader, “But if no conclusion is reached, we will have a reconciliation idea which will lead the country to democracy.”

Mr Natthawut said the UDD will consider the group’s own reconciliation plan in comparison with that of the government to make a conclusion before holding a news conference this evening. (TNA)