Ex-premier concerned with deep divisions among Thais

June 9th, 2008 by admin

Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun on Sunday expressed his concern that the country’s people are clearly divided into two groups and the divisions have become too deep to be reconciled.

Speaking of the role of public television amid the current conflicts, he said that public TV should not allow itself to be dragged to the centre of such conflicts, taking a particular vantage point, but should rather play a role as a venue where the public could get opinions presented from all sides and points of view.

It should neither dictate, nor decide who is right or wrong because it has no duty to do that.

In his view, its public television’s news coverage should be fair to both sides, adding other TV channels had the right to follow.

Mr. Anand conceded he is deeply concerned with the country’s current political situation.

In principle, he viewed a difference of opinions among people could happen in all societies, but that people of differing points of view should be able to talk with each other and find a common way out. Having different opinions should not lead to a use of force by any party.

Under the current circumstances, he admitted the people are divided so deeply and have become so polarised that reconciliation could no longer be possible because both sides no longer believe or trust in each other.

In democratic societies, parliamentary mechanisms could be brought to focus on issues and problems areas, to address or reduce conflicts.

But should the parliament fail to perform its duty completely, it is unavoidable that the conflicts will lead to roadside demonstrations because it is a right for people to do that under the current constitution.

Regarding the proposed referendum on the charter rewrite requiring a budget of up to Bt2 billion to organise, Mr. Anand said it was pointless if the referendum is held only to ask whether the charter should be amended or not.

Rather, he viewed the question must be raised regarding which articles of the charter should be amended if such a revision is thought to be needed.

“In my opinion, the 2007 constitution can be amended. At the same time, the 1997 charter is not very favourable,” he said. “The point is which article should be amended.”