Reconciliation road map to be complete by year end, urge all Thais to participate

BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) – Urging all Thais to join his reform efforts, Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said the national reconciliation road map will be complete by the year end as a New Year’s gift to the Thai people.

In a nationally televised address, the prime minister said everyone was deeply hurt by what has happened in the  country, the casualties and losses, all of which were caused by the Thai people themselves.

The premier said Thailand must move forward, but the future of the country cannot be built upon anger, hatred and resentment. The government alone cannot reform the country, but every person must take part.

“It is time now that we will help rebuild our home,” said Mr Abhisit. “I invite every Thai to start reforming Thailand, with confidence of all Thais.”

The premier however said some sectors have already begun their work for national reconciliation and reform.

“No matter who you are, where you live, what political view you have,” the prime minister said, “I reaffirm that today we are ready to let them be a part of this move and I urge the public to follow the news about how they can get involved with this historic process.”

Mr Abhisit said the reconciliation process will solve the problems and reform structures which may take longer than the tenure of his government, but he wants to have a clear plan within this year in order to get the country out of the crisis and violence and to become a New Year’s gift for the Thai people.

The premier asserted it is normal to have differing views under a democratic system, while the reconciliation plan will pave the way to the country’s reform without doing away with the diversities in the society.

Prior to the live televised address, the prime minister discussed with representatives from four sectors–academic, business, media and local administrative bodies.

Mr Abhisit reiterated to the four sectors regarding his five-point plan to reconcile the nation which includes the protection of the revered monarchy, the problem-solving of social inequality, media reform, fact-finding panel over the deadly protests and other politically-related issues.

The prime minister said after the meeting that the reconciliation road map can only be achieved through public cooperation, therefore a national survey will be held and the process will take about two months to complete. Then a detailed plan and timeline to support the five-point road map is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Mr Abhisit said that three agencies will be the main mechanism in driving the process — the Thai Health Promotion Board, the Office of the National Economic and social Development Board (NESBD), and the secretariat of the Thai Health Promotion Board.

A public forum will be held on June 17 to conclude a mechanism to move forward, while urging the four sectors to brainstorm opinions on the road map within two weeks and he himself will attend the event to encourage full public participation.

In other development, the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on Thursday agreed to maintain the State of Emergency in Bangkok and other 23 provinces for the time being, citing intelligence reports on possible sabotage, arsons in some strategic locations such as power plants and fuel storage facilities, as well as attempts to incite violence.

CRES also agreed to tighten security at public utility units and combine soldiers with police officers to patrol in areas at risk during the night to ensure safety for the public and places. (TNA)