Prem calls for unity in Northeast

The Privy Council president yesterday called on people in the Northeast to take part in efforts to ensure social reconciliation and restore national unity.

General Prem Tinsulanonda, former prime minister and chief of His Majesty the King's advisory council, blamed the current political turmoil on a lack of mutual understanding between the opposing sides.

Prem made the statement to well-wishers from the northeastern region who met and greeted him at his residence in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The well-wishers were composed of local officials, soldiers and business people.

Prem urged people to reach out to help end the conflicts that had seriously divided the nation.

He said it would be beneficial for the Kingdom if the problem of "disunity" could be resolved in the Northeast.

"One thing I know for a fact is that Isaan people are quick learners and not hard-headed," Prem said.

"If we don't dwell on our misunderstandings and conflicts, and instead search for ways to solve problems, I am confident that we can solve them ... The cause of the problem is a lack of mutual understanding. We should come together and reconcile," he added.

Prem said His Majesty the King was respected and worshiped by all Thais so as long as His Majesty was around he would act as a focus of devotion and enable people to overcome problems.

"If we adhere to His Majesty as our fortress and ask ourselves why we should fight, we will realise that it's not difficult to love one another again. Looking back on the past 30 years, Isaan people have faced an insurgency much worse than this, and yet we overcame it."

He called on the commander of the Second Region Army, which covers the northeastern provinces, the governors of the 19 Isaan provinces, local community leaders and local residents to contribute to the efforts to "restore unity among the people of Isaan".

The ex-PM once served as commander of the Second Region Army. When his government was fighting a coup attempt in 1981, he led the counterattack from Nakhon Ratchasima and managed to crush the bid to overthrow his administration.

The Northeast, along with the northern region, has become a stronghold of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra while many people in the South and central Thailand are more critical of Thaksin if not opposed to him.