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Thailand's anti-government group ready for talks
Straits Times - November 3, 2008
A key core leader of Thailand's anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said yesterday (November 2) that the party was ready to negotiate with the government, a day after a massive rally by pro-government supporters.
Local media reported retired Major-General Chamlong Srimuang as saying, however, that the PAD would deal only with the government, and no one else.
"Bringing in other groups will only be a waste of time," Thai News Agency quoted him as saying. "We disagree with having the army or academics involved."
His comments came after peace activists called for a dialogue between the PAD and the government to end the protracted stand-off that has seen PAD supporters staking out Government House since August.
It drew a positive response from Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat last night. Thai News Agency reported him as saying that the government, too, was ready to hold talks with the PAD if it could lead to peace and order.
Asked who would represent the government, he replied: "Anyone who can do this job well. The government agrees with the idea."
The PAD is demanding that Somchai's government step down because of its links to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom they accuse of corruption and nepotism.
The tension at the protest site has already resulted in bloodshed, with several people killed when police and protesters clashed last month. And yesterday, a man was shot and injured after an argument with volunteer guards at Government House, reported AFP.
Four men were returning home in the early hours when they drove past the protest camp.
"They had an argument with PAD guards and then they drove away and crashed with a taxi and gunfire was heard," said police captain Pomphet Choteklang. One man in his early 20s received a gunshot wound in his right shoulder.
Yesterday, the PAD accused Thaksin of causing disunity by airing a speech to some 70,000 pro-government supporters who had gathered on Saturday.
They had watched a video of the speech by the former premier who called for a negotiated end to the political conflict and appealed for support to make it possible for him to return to Thailand. Thaksin was sentenced to jail over a conflict of interest charge, but fled to London.
Saturday's rally was condemned by the PAD. "Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat should not allow Mr Thaksin to use the state media for making an address because he is a convicted criminal, and this shows Mr Somchai's lack of leadership," one of the leading English language dailies of Thailand quoted PAD core leader Piphob Thongchai as saying.
The continuing tension between the two camps has hit Thailand's stability and its tourism industry, and at least one survey has shown that most Thais want the political violence to end.
According to The Nation daily, the Assumption University Abac poll, which covered voters across the country, showed that 94 per cent backed a campaign to end the violence. Many people, it said, wanted the feuding parties to get back together.
Chief pollster Noppadon Kannikar said the survey contrasted with the general belief that Thai society was divided.
"It is reassuring to learn that most Thais want to stop violence and have amicable talks," The Nation quoted him as saying. "If Thais can weather this crisis, we shall be able to live peacefully despite our polar differences in political ideology."
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