"Anek"

Public pressure also needed to steer country’s leaders, experts tell seminar.

A LAWYER for former politician Suthep Thaugsuban will today register a party with the Election Commission (EC) under the name Ruam Palang Prachachat Thai, an EC official told media yesterday.

Political Reform Committee chairman Anek Laothamatas spoke on Tuesday of the suggestion that key political parties might cooperate after the election, pointing this has suggested signs of reconciliation, but it might be easier said than done.

AS THE political reform blueprint progresses the focus has become clearer, with concerned parties having agreed that what is more important than the election is how Thai people can step across conflict and a coup – and the answer pretty much lies in a strong political culture that needs to be promoted and rooted.

WITH THE deadline drawing close for political parties to file details under the new party bill, the law should not be amended any further as it might lead to another delay in the election, a key figure from the Chartthai Pattana Party said yesterday.

Still an ideological peace advocate, Anek Laothamatas dreams of how best to forge reconciliation in divisive Thailand.

The newly appointed political reform committee said on Monday that reconciliation will be part of its five-year political plan.

Anek Laothamathas on Monday said he was not worried about taking the chairmanship of the Election Commission’s appointed committee on political party development, saying it was not under the government and the junta’s control, despite his history of working with them.