Military-led panel compiles unity tips document
A military-led panel on unity building has created a document containing crucial elements to be considered for a unity agreement, said committee chairman and Supreme Commander Surapong Suwanna-at.
Gen Surapong said the document is a collation of the opinions and suggestions on national reconciliation gathered by a panel led by defence permanent secretary Chaicharn Changmongkol.
The document also covers reconciliation guidelines and research findings by independent bodies including the nowdefunct Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), he said.
It touches on 10 areas such as politics, laws and justice administration, social and economic inequity, graft and corruption, and long-term strategies for national development.
He said the document has been commented on by concerned state agencies and nine specialists in those areas.
According to Gen Surapong, among the opinions and suggestions gathered by the Charnchai committee, about 60% have been implemented by the government or are about to be.
Gen Surapong said authorities concerned will be asked to increase public awareness about the proposals which are already in practice.
He said the other proposals will be studied further, while public awareness on these will also be raised so that once implemented, they will not trigger a new round of conflicts.
“The document is comprehensive and credible and reflects what the people want,” he said, having chaired the committee to finalise the document.
The document will be forwarded to another panel chaired by army commander Chalermchai Sitthisat who is responsible for drawing up a draft unity agreement.
The Chaicharn panel, the Surapong panel and the Chalermchai panel come under the committee for national reconciliation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
The opinion-gathering process started in mid-February when politicians, business persons and people’s representatives were invited to air their views on national reconciliation.