Reconciliation panel seeks permanent body

Its report recommends the inclusion of members of civic groups, the media and the military in the permanent committee.

Nonthaburi senator Direk Tuengfang, chairman of the committee for national reconciliation, political reform and Constitution amendment, said he would ask House Speaker Chai Chidchob to appoint the group to follow up on measures proposed by his committee.

The reconciliation committee will present its report to Chai and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tomorrow and it will be published on Parliament's website.

About 2,000 copies of the report will also be distributed nationwide. Direk said people wanting to publish extra copies of the report could contact him for permission.

At the closing meeting yesterday, committee members, including opposition chief whip Wittaya Buranasiri, expressed concern that their proposals would not be implemented. Some suggested the committee should propose a time frame for follow up.

Government chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, a committee member and the only Democrat to speak at the meeting, said a permanent committee should be appointed, supporting academic Anusorn Tamajai's proposal for a council for the country's reform. Anusorn said the council should take care of reforms in many areas, not just politics.

Senator Lertrat Ratanavanich, chairman of a subpanel studying guidelines for charter amendment, said generosity and trust among politicians and people were the key to the committee's success in solving conflict and political problems.

Members of the Pheu Thai Party, including MPs Prakiat Nasimma and Santi Phromphat, said the returning of rights to those affected by the 2006 military coup and political conflict was a crucial and urgent measure needed to reconcile the country.

Those "affected" people would include banned politicians from dissolved parties such as Thai Rak Thai, they said.

Academic Kanin Boonsuwan, committee member in Pheu Thai's quota, said the processes should be based on Abhisit's word that a House dissolution would follow the changing of election rules. A fresh election would be a natural rehabilitation for affected people, Kanin said.

Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong repeated his idea of all political parties of all parties joining hands to form a government.

He said that in such a case, he would accept Abhisit as prime minister. And if needed, his party would be in opposition.