An open letter from a group of 40 senators

We should like to point out the following:

The government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat convened a joint sitting of Parliament on Tuesday in order to state policies, which is a constitutional requirement before the government can start working formally or start using the national budget. However, House Speaker Chai Chidchob decided to include the motion for the amendment of the whole constitution (as drafted by Dr Weng Tojirakarn) on the agenda, even though he knew that it was a highly controversial and inflammatory subject which would increase political tension.

Prior to this, the PM had publicly announced that he supported the setting up of the third Constitutional Drafting Assembly, but the government did a complete volte-face by adding the amendment of the Constitution to the agenda. Furthermore, former deputy prime minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh had been trying to negotiate a peaceful solution with the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy when two PAD leaders were suddenly arrested. The timing of the arrests is highly suspicious as the warrants had been issued sometime ago and they could have been arrested at any time.

At the time of assuming office, the PM had stated publicly that he wished for a peaceful solution and reconciliation but the arrest of two PAD leaders shows that he does the opposite of what he says, which only adds fuel to flame.

Subsequently, the PAD had thousands of their supporters surround Parliament on Monday night in order to block MPs and senators from entering the building. Unfortunately, the government decided upon the use of force at about 6am to disperse the protesters so MPs and senators could enter the building and again in the afternoon so they could leave. The government's decision to go ahead with the sitting by using police force without any regards for the consequences, resulted in the worst bloodbath in Bangkok, the extent of which has not been seen for decades. The huge casualties, numbering over 400 injured, with two dead and two victims with their legs blown apart will be a permanent shame for the history of Thai democracy.

The Group of 40 Senators would like to issue the following standpoints.

1 We express our sincere and deepest regrets to the relatives of the dead and to the wounded and would like the government and the Public Health Ministry to take full responsibility for their hospitalisation and compensation.

2 In order to ease concern of the public, we would like the Border Patrol Police troops, who are accustomed to border operations and not trained for riot control in the city, to be moved out of Bangkok immediately.

3 The government must show responsibility by conducting an investigation to find the commanding officer responsible for the suppression of the demonstrators in this ruthless manner. Firing teargas without prior warning straight into the demonstrators is barbarous and against international standards of riot control. We ask the government to stop using force against the protestors immediately.

4 We will compile all events and related evidence including photos, DVD recordings and documents in order to present them to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and all embassies in the Kingdom of Thailand so that they know the facts.

5 We will put an urgent request to the President of the Senate requesting that the PM answer to the Senate our queries about who ordered the forceful suppression, who was the commanding officer who enacted the order, and how the government plans to take responsibility for the casualties.

6 The Senate counter-corruption and ethics committee, and the Senate human rights committee will establish a special working group urgently to inspect the violent clashes and will invite outside experts to join in order to submit a report to the Senate and the public as soon as possible.

We feel that PM Somchai no longer has the mandate to govern as his government's policy statement was read out over a bloodbath when parliament barely had a quorum. At this time of global economic crisis, Thailand needs peace and stability, which this government is clearly unable to bring about as it has lost its legitimacy and respect in the eyes of the Thai people. Therefore, Somchai should show some ethics and a spirit of responsibility by resigning immediately or dissolving Parliament to spare the country from a worse fate.

Group of 40 Senators

If dreams could ever come true

If one is put to sleep for 30 years, one is likely to wake up to these headlines:

Thais to vote on new Constitution

Online lottery postponed

Burmese astronauts land on Mars

Sondhi vows to keep Govt House

NESDB predicts no growth, citing political instability

Mobs fire tear gas at police

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Abhisit: PM must resign

Meechai Burapa

Chiang Mai