Unprecedented ceremony brings hope

A small but significant event occured in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday. Two weeks ago, before the May 22 coup, it would have been totally beyond even the wildest imagining of most political observers and analysts.

There was a get-together of core leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in Nakhon Ratchasima city in front of the statue of Thao Suranaree, or Ya Mo.

They took a public oath that they would strive to bring an end to the colour-coded political divide and to bring about reconciliation.

PDRC and UDD leaders gather in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday and take an oath that they will try to bring an end to the political colour codes division in society. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

Earlier, before the oath taking, the two rival groups met together at reconciliation talks brokered by Maj-Gen Chaiyaporn Ratpaet, chief of the reconciliation centre in the northeastern province.

The UDD was represented by Anuwat Tinnarach, chairman of the northeastern UDD, and Sampart Atthawong, former Pheu Thai MP and younger brother of Suporn Atthawong. Mr Suporn is also known as Rambo Isan and as a hardcore fireband who earlier formed and trained a volunteer force of red-shirts who were supposed to rise up against the military in the even there was a coup. Rambo himself did not attend and was said to be ill.

The PDRC was represented by Chakkarin Cherdchai and a few other leading members.

Although the two rival groups still differ on the election issue, with the UDD wanting a quick vote and and the PDRC insisting on reform before before the country goes to the poll, the fact they agreed to sit down for talks and swear on oath to end coloured politics represents a healthy sign - a small step in the right direction.

The military junta, or the National Council for Peace and Order as it now calls itself, has given importance to reconciliation before going into reform mode. Reconciliation centres have been set up in most provinces where people are divided by their political affiliation.

But for the reconciliation effort to bear fruit, the NCPO must create an environment, an atmosphere, in which the rival groups, especially the UDD, are willing to sit down for talks. This can be done with the quick release of the UDD core members who are still in military custody, the easing of restrictions on free expression and the end of the wholesale summoning of individuals deemed to be a threat to the junta to report to the military.

Earlier Thailand Development Research Institute president Somkiat Tangkitvanich cautioned that talks on reforms should take place in an atmosphere whereby all parties are allowed to take part in the discussions and are able to express their views freely and equally, without fear.

The muzzling of the press, the ban on the broadcasting of political discussions or political talk shows and the closure of satellite and cable TV stations should be eased, he said. The illegal TV stations needed to legalised and regulated by the National Broadcasting Commission if they are to resume operations.

The pockets of anti-coup protesters who continue to defy the coup are a nuisance rather than a real threat to the junta. The way the junta deploys a huge number of troops and police, drawn into playing the protesters’ "hide and seek" games is a waste of manpower, time and money, and causes substantial losses for businesses in the area when the protests actually take place, such as Terminal 21, Kasorn and Ratchaprasong - which were forced to close during the protests.

The tasks facing the NCPO are daunting, and there is no guarantee that its three-step political roadmap will be successful. But if it is truly committed to bringing about reconciliation, peace and change for the better in Thailand, for the good of the people, it can be assured of public support.

Time will prove whether coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha is just another military dictator, as charged by the coup's opponents, or a benevolent dictator to be remembered.