In order to deal with the current political crisis and seek reconciliation, three issues - dissolution of the House, terrorism, and the monarchy institution - were being addressed separately, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.
Suthep said a road map to solve poverty and justice issues among the poor would be unveiled to bring about national reconciliation. However, he said the road map could only be adopted after approval by all parties involved.
Suthep said the time frame for dissolution of the House would depend on the prime minister and refused to go into detail. Abhisit earlier told Kyodo news he was willing to dissolve the House before the nine-month time frame offered earlier to red shirts.
Suthep said terrorism and anti-monarchy cases would be pursued separately. He said 'terrorists' were eyeing to kill soldiers and civilians in the hope of setting off a people's revolt. As such the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would work in tandem with 10 other government offices.
As for the charge of abolishing the monarchy institution, the matter would be designated as a special case. Suthep insisted there existed a movement to overthrow the monarchy institution, with various media working together in a conspiracy. Arrest warrants would eventually be issued, he said.
"As for the use of force, it is clear now that protesters are not peaceful and armed. Their demonstration is illegal and violates other people's rights - such as shutting down traffic routes and seizing department store areas and invading a hospital. It will take time [for the government] to address these issues because we will have to explain to those innocent people that their continued participation [at the rally] will result in heavier penalties. Most important, they will end up as human shields - so relatives of these people should tell them to leave the protest site as authorities deal with the hardcore leaders."
Suthep said the crackdown would involve both military and police forces and those still at the protest site could not claim ignorance of the consequences. Heavy forces would be used so as not to risk more civilian deaths under the hands of terrorists, said Suthep. He refused to say if the crackdown would take place by Wednesday.
As for the call from the international communities to deal with the protesters in accordance with international standards, the deputy premier said "foreigners don't know enough about Thailand like Thais themselves."
Asked about the government's willingness to negotiate again, he said the government was still willing.