• 
• 

Published on January 7, 2008

To forge national reconciliation, social critic Dr Prawes Wasi yesterday proposed the People Power Party invite members of the rival Democrat Party to become ministers.

Prawes said it was normal for parties to compete during an election but they had to respect the poll results and work together with sincerity, patience and forgiveness for the sake of the country.

"Our country currently faces many difficult issues. Whoever heads the government will have to strive through the hardship," Prawes wrote in an article sent to press offices yesterday.

"In many countries, governments and their oppositions work together to help the country in difficult times. That's why we see the US President invite leaders of the opposition to have breakfast at the White House."

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was not available for comment on the matter yesterday.

Prawes proposed some guiding principles for Thais to practise for the survival of the country.

First and foremost, he said, Thais need to conduct themselves with dignity and integrity in order that they may be capable of doing the right thing.

He also urged people to respect and observe the rule of law, citing again the example of America where Al Gore accepted the Supreme Court's ruling on his defeat to George W Bush.

He also asserted that citizens must keep the military in check so that it stays free of politics and from political ambitions.