Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday welcomed a move by the opposition Pheu Thai Party to seek reconciliation but he asked it to prove its good intentions by working with the government in preventing violence.
Pheu Thai on Thursday issued a five-point proposal seeking talks aimed at ending the political conflict peacefully, forgiveness by the feuding parties, and no more use of violence.
"We have to work together to help prevent violence and moves that go against the law," Abhisit said, adding that despite denial, there were connections between unnamed political parties and the perpetrators of violent incidents.
"These ties must be cut off," he said.
When asked whether "working together" meant Abhisit's ruling Democrat Party and Pheu Thai would form a coalition government, he said there would be no such political changes.
"What we want to see these days is confidence that the country is progressing democratically. And the next election must be free and fair, as well as peaceful and orderly … I think people want to see political parties return to fight within the parliamentary system and create an environment that is good for a parliamentary system."
The prime minister said the political parties involved in the political conflict, both those with and without seats in Parliament, should work together to help solve the political problems.
He also rejected a rumour that Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of Pheu Thai's patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra, had approached the Democrat Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to discuss forming a coalition government. "I haven't heard about it," Abhisit said.
The ruling Democrat Party is hopeful it can win at least 20 parliamentary seats from the Northeast in the next general election, thanks to the opposition Pheu Thai Party's weakening popularity in the region.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai, a Democrat leader for the Northeast, said the party expected to win elections in Ubon Ratchathani and its neighbouring provinces, including Nakhon Ratchasima.
"The party's popularity in Isaan is a lot better now," Issara said. He added that many red-shirt supporters in the region had abandoned Pheu Thai because they found the violence during the recent political unrest, in which government buildings in some northeastern provinces were burned down, unacceptable.
In the previous general election in 2007, the Democrats won only four House seats from the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen. Most of the seats in the region were won by Pheu Thai's precursor, the People Power Party, which was dissolved by a court order in 2008 for electoral fraud.
Issara saud the matter was discussed when Democrat ministers met with the party's secretary-general, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, during lunch at Government House around noon yesterday.
Other key Democrat figures present included Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey, Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam, and Science Minister Virachai Virameteekul.
According to Issara, Suthep suggested that the party set up more branches and find more members so as to expand its support base. The party secretary-general also suggested that the Democrat ministers seek financial support from donors to fund the party's election campaign.
Suthep also noted that the Democrat-led government had only one year and three months left before its term ends late next year, and therefore the party's politicians should prepare themselves early for the next election.