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Thaksin urged to cut Thai influence
Sydney Morning Herald - September 19, 2012
Truth for Reconciliation Commission chairman Kanit Nanakorn said Thaksin, the elder brother of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, should "make the sacrifice in stopping every political role".
Thaksin, a deeply divisive figure in Thai politics, is believed to be the government's behind-the-scenes powerbroker, involved in key decisions and appointments.
While travelling the world in his private jet during six years in exile, Thaksin has made no secret of his intention to return to the country without serving two years in jail for a corruption conviction, which he insists was a political set-up.
The commission, which was appointed following the May 2010 clashes that left at least 91 people dead and 2000 injured, blamed the then government and the so-called red shirts – protesters representing the rural masses. But the commission made it clear it had no intention of bringing anyone to justice.
Its report said Thai society needed "to step back and remind itself of the damage this social rift has caused over the years, and violent incidents in the past should be seen as a lesson – a reminder of what we have lost, what we need to do to stop history repeating itself".
The commission made a series of recommendations, including that the Thai military "must be neutral and not become involved in politics, not carry out coups".
The military ousted Thaksin in 2006, one of 18 coups or attempted coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
The commission said tying the monarchy to politics had exacerbated tensions in society. "All parties must express a clear intent to venerate the monarchy as being above all political conflicts," it said.
King Bhumibol, 84, a major stabilising force in the country over six decades, has been ill for several years.
Tensions over the 2010 violence may be set to escalate, after the Thai Department of Special Investigation confirmed it was pursuing cases involving 35 deaths.
Analysts say this risks provoking the military, which will attempt to protect any soldiers from prosecution. There have been no prosecutions so far over the killings.
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