Deputy PM claims unity pact will be ready in June

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon says a social contract setting out reconciliation-building efforts is set to be finished by June now that political parties and groups have aired their views.

Gen Prawit said the government is drawing up the unity pact and the details will be announced when it is ready.

“It is now in the early stages,” Gen Prawit said. “There is no need to rush as we anticipate it being ready in June.”

Gen Prawit was speaking after chairing a panel meeting on preparations for reconciliation-building yesterday. He said the panel has made progress on this matter.

The deputy premier said after the social contract is completed, authorities will focus on a public relations campaign to boost people’s awareness of the issue and encourage their participation in the reconciliation process.

A total of 46 political parties and groups have met a committee in charge of collecting input for the reconciliation campaign, which started on Feb 14.

Former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who led the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee against the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, met the committee last week. The Muan Maha Prachachon for Reform Foundation, which he chairs, was the final group to offer suggestions to the panel.

Mr Suthep stood firm in his call for “reform before elections”. He said he would not mind if the roadmap was extended for the reforms to be fully implemented first.

Speaking about the possibility of extending the regime’s timeline to pave the way for reforms as raised by Mr Suthep’s group, Gen Prawit said: “We already have a roadmap and we must stick to it.

“But if there is a need to alter the roadmap, that would be another issue.”

He said the government will listen to all opinions raised by the parties and groups.

However, he insisted people would have to wait for the public relations campaign to find out how much progress has been made.

The committee believes the country is on the right track towards reconciliation, Gen Prawit said.

The panel’s advisory body has suggested officials should also gather public input, he added.

He added the government is gathering the views of people from different walks of life. The Interior Ministry has heard the opinions of more than 20,000 people so far.

Speaking about reconciliation suggestions from political parties and groups, Gen Ekachai Srivilas, a member of the Committee on National Reform, National Strategy, and Reconciliation, said the opinions were vastly different.