Serious issues confront Banharn bid: senator

Former PM Banharn Silapa-archa's voluntary bid to resolve four major conflicts in an effort to bring about reconciliation is a positive move but will be difficult to achieve, Senator Prasarn Maruekapitak said yesterday.

He said peace could not be achieved as long as the following factors continue to cause conflict.

_ Refusal by "the Dubai person" to accept the law, or the verdicts of the Thai courts. This is behind attempts to draft a new charter in order to cater to one person's desire.

_ Attempts to draft a new charter. This will bring about conflict, because many people do not think that the Constitution is the problem.

_ Attempts to legislate a new reconciliation act to favour one person so that he will not have to be jailed, have his confiscated assets returned and receive a hero's welcome.

_ The establishment of red-shirt villages. This polarises the country, Prasarn said.