Thaksin fair trial can ease turmoil

More than 200 academics at 32 universities yesterday said former premier Thaksin Shinawatra deserved to be tried fairly in court without government interference.

The ousted leader was charged with abusing his power over a Bangkok land deal, a case that is pending in court.

Thaksin also faces charges in 15 other pending cases.

The call for Thaksin's trial is one of four suggestions made to resolve a prolonged political conflict and avoid clashes between rival groups.

The academics, the latest in a growing number of people calling for a "third way out" of the deadlock, also urged all parties to refrain from violence and avoid worsening the climate of mistrust.

In addition, the government's attempt to rewrite the Constitution should be deferred.

Instead it should set up a special committee that could ensure the public will have a role in the deciding on the amendments.

"Conflicts in the democratic system must be addressed purely by democratic means. Otherwise our society will end up going further backwards," part of the one-page statement issued at Thammasat University said yesterday.

"All parties must then respect the democratic process and rule and the government must consider the national interest."

No mention was made about whether the group would oppose a military coup if one were staged.

Parinya Thewanaruemitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, said the group only supported democratic and non-violent means of resolving the conflict.

Jaet Thonawanik, a Siam University law lecturer, said: "If one sees the coup as a violent option, then it should be included [in the statement]."

He said in the days to come, more groups and people are expected to come out to give their support to some form of alternative solution to the current stand-off.

"There will be 10 or 100 groups coming out to show themselves [in support of a third way out]."

The third way, made famous by the wearing of white last week, came under heavy attack from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy and its supporters.

Vipa Daomanee, one of the signatories from Thammasat University said the academic group made no mention about the fear of a possible coup.

Vipa said she made a proposal to have the phrase included but it was later dropped.