25 January 2017

News Story: (Thailand) Prawit insists all on board peace train

WRITER: WASSANA NANUAM

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has insisted all political camps have embraced the government's push to foster reconciliation in the country, while those taking part are no longer required to sign the unity pact.

Key figures of the parties stood firm in supporting the process, including the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties, Gen Prawit claimed Monday.

Suthep Thaugsuban, who is chairman of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reform Foundation, expressed no opposition to the process either and would take part in the talks, though he will not sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on unity, said Gen Prawit, who is also the defence Minister.

Mr Suthep is a former Democrat secretary-general and former leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which led street demonstrations against the Yingluck Shinawatra government prior to the May 22, 2014 coup.

Gen Prawit is also confident the government's reconciliation process will eventually be successful, adding it is not necessary for participants to sign the MoU, which is deemed a social contract.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said earlier that gathering opinions will take about three months before groups and parties would be asked to sign the MoU.

Gen Prawit said minutes of the meetings under the reconciliation process will be recorded.

Read the full story at BangkokPost