ASEANAFFAIRS Special Edition Display Until 30 Aug THAILAND ...
3
27 May-June 2011 • Magazine The Voice of Southeast Asia 26 Magazine • May-June 2011 Asia’s Next Trillion Dollar Economy B 30-Page Special old New Asean Helping Thailand Go Global A Visit to Myanmar’s Kachin State Display Until 30 Aug May-June 2011 | Vol.5 No.3 | ASEANAFFAIRS.COM Special Edition DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHS IN THAILAND Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister-elect, led the Pheu Thai party to an historic landslide win in the recent Thai election and hopes to take the country on the road to reconciliation. STORY C OVER Led by Yingluck Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai party won an absolute majority in the Thai parliament through a democratic and peaceful election-the first one in Thailand since 2006. DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHS IN THAILAND YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA TIME LINE Election results On Sunday, July 3, 66 percent of Thai voters turned out to give the Pheu Thai party headed by Yingluck Shinawatra, youngest sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the majority of seats in the new Thai Parliament. The following day, July 4, Pheu Thai formed a coalition with four minority parties to increase its seat total to 299 out of a total of 500 parliamentary seats or 60 percent control of parliament. This is only the second time in Thai history that an election has re- sulted in a single party carrying an absolute majority in the parlia- ment. Equally important, foreign observers assessing the election gave thumbs up to the election process as being free and fair . The main loser in the election was the Bhum Jai Thai (BJT) party that was decimated. The BJT is based in northern Thailand, the same stronghold as Pheu Thai. In 2008 BJT abandoned its relationship with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to form an alliance with the Democrat party. That alliance lost this election and BJT appears to have won only 34 seats, about half of what it was projected to win. BJT’s political influence has cer- tainly been reduced. It is important to note that although the election has been cat- egorized as a landslide, the Democrats prevailed in their tradition- al stronghold Bangkok, taking 23 seats to the Pheu Thai’s 10. The split between urban and rural voters and between the North and the Democratic South also continued in this election. The election results are a vindication for Mr. Thaksin, who was deposed in a military coup on 19 September 2006. In 2008, Mr. Thaksin fled Thailand before receiving a prison sentence from Thailand’s Supreme Court of two years for corruption and other related charges. Since then, he has acquired citizenship in Monte- negro and established a home base in Dubai. An acknowledged master of public relations, Thaksin, who made his fortune in Thailand’s telecom industry, has continued his presence in Thailand during his absence through video and audio feeds and interviews with international and Thai media in Dubai. What makes Thaksin a unique case, as opposed to other de- posed Thai prime ministers, is his ability to penetrate Thailand’s air space through the use of advanced satellite communications, circumventing attempts to make him fade into the dust bin of his- tory. Thailand is no stranger to coups and exiled leaders. According to Nicholas Farrelly of the New Mandala web site, there have been 11 “successful” coups and nine “unsuccessful” coups in 20th cen- tury Thailand. The 2006 coup in Thailand that deposed Thaksin surprised many Thais as the last previous coup had occurred in 1992 and most Thais felt that coups were a matter of history. Following the current election, however, the military has ac- cepted the Pheu Thai victory stating that it would not intervene or prevent Yingluck Shinawatra from forming a new government. This gives the country hope as during the last six years there has been an occupation of Bangkok’s two airports, a blockade of parliament, an assassination attempt and street protests resulting in deaths. How did she get here? Yingluck Shinawatra, 44, was handpicked by her brother to contest the recent election but up to that time she had pursued a career as a low-profile business executive and mother. Thaksin said that he selected her as she was a relative and therefore, someone he could trust. However, when her name first surfaced, she expressed reluctance “I’m not ready to give up my life, and particularly my son’s happiness, in exchange for the top spot on the party list,” she said earlier this year. Her husband, Anusorn Amornchat, is president of mobile handset distributor M-Link Asia Corp. Ms. Yingluck was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, received a bach- elor’s degree from Chiang Mai University and a master’s degree from Kentucky State University in 1991, both in public administra- tion. Over 20 years, she became managing director of property developer SC Asset and president of Advanced Info Service, Thai- land’s largest mobile phone operator. SC Asset still remains part of her brother’s business empire. Before she was selected, the Pheu Thai party trailed the Democrats in opinion polls as it lacked a recognizable leader and a sense of direction. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolved parliament on May 10, and Thaksin nominated his sister. As she made more appearances on the campaign trail, she appeared to gain confidence in meeting with villagers especially in the north, where she could bring her northern accent into play. However, several Thai media have observed how tightly man- aged and scripted she has been during the campaign. This is not surprising given her lack of political experience and her initial reluctance to take up the role of the nominee in the first place. Her photogenic qualities and her appeal to women voters were key vote-attracting qualities, while her opponent, Mr. Abhisit, has often been criticized for being ill at ease among many voter seg- ments. The Pheu Thai campaign seemed to gain momentum whatever the critics said as Yingluck struck a responsive chord during her personal appearances. Born: In Chiang Mai, Thailand, 21 June 1967 Education: Obtained a bachelor’s degree from Chiang Mai University in 1988 and a master’s degree from Kentucky State University, both in public administration, in 1991. Business career: In 1994, she became the general manag- er of Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of International Broadcast- ing Corporation. She left as Deputy CEO of IBC in 2002, and became the CEO of Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand’s largest mobile phone operator. Ms Yingluck resigned from AIS in 2006, but remained Managing Director of SC Asset Co Ltd. Politics: After the governing People’s Power party was banned by the Constitutional Court on 2 December 2008, many People’s Power Party MPs formed the Pheu Thai Party. Yingluck was asked to become the leader of the party. However, she refused to accept the position, saying that she did not want to be prime minister and wanted to focus on business. US diplomatic cables leaked in 2011 revealed that during a 9 September 2009 meeting, former Deputy Prime Minister and “close Thaksin ally” Sompong Amornvivat told Ambassador to Thailand Eric John that he did not envision a big role for Yingluck in the Pheu Thai Party, and that “Thaksin himself was not eager to raise her profile within the party, and was more focused on finding ways to keep his own hand active in politics.” However, in a subsequent cable dated 25 November 2009, the Ambassador noted that in a meeting with Yingluck, she spoke with confidence about the “operations, strategy and goals” of the Pheu Thai party and seemed “far more poised” than in previous meetings.
Transcript of ASEANAFFAIRS Special Edition Display Until 30 Aug THAILAND ...
27May-June 2011 • Magazine The Voice of Southeast Asia26 Magazine • May-June 2011
Asia’s Next Trillion Dollar Economy
B 30-Page Special
old New Asean
Helping Thailand Go Global
AVisit to Myanmar’s Kachin State
Display Until 30 AugMay-June 2011 | Vol.5 No.3 | ASEANAFFAIRS.COMSpecial Edition
DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHS IN THAILAND
Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister-elect, led the Pheu Thai party
to an historic landslide win in the recent Thai election and hopes to take the country on the
road to reconciliation.
STORYCOVER
Led by Yingluck Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai party won an absolute majority in the Thai parliament through a democratic and peaceful
election-the first one in Thailand since 2006.
DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHS IN THAILAND
YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA TIME LINE
Election results
On Sunday, July 3, 66 percent of Thai voters turned out to give the Pheu Thai party headed by Yingluck Shinawatra, youngest sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the majority of seats in the new Thai Parliament.
The following day, July 4, Pheu Thai formed a coalition with four minority parties to increase its seat total to 299 out of a total of 500 parliamentary seats or 60 percent control of parliament. This is only the second time in Thai history that an election has re-sulted in a single party carrying an absolute majority in the parlia-ment. Equally important, foreign observers assessing the election gave thumbs up to the election process as being free and fair .
The main loser in the election was the Bhum Jai Thai (BJT) party that was decimated. The BJT is based in northern Thailand, the same stronghold as Pheu Thai. In 2008 BJT abandoned its relationship with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to form an alliance with the Democrat party. That alliance lost this election and BJT appears to have won only 34 seats, about half of what it was projected to win. BJT’s political influence has cer-tainly been reduced.
It is important to note that although the election has been cat-egorized as a landslide, the Democrats prevailed in their tradition-al stronghold Bangkok, taking 23 seats to the Pheu Thai’s 10. The split between urban and rural voters and between the North and the Democratic South also continued in this election.
The election results are a vindication for Mr. Thaksin, who was deposed in a military coup on 19 September 2006. In 2008, Mr. Thaksin fled Thailand before receiving a prison sentence from Thailand’s Supreme Court of two years for corruption and other related charges. Since then, he has acquired citizenship in Monte-negro and established a home base in Dubai.
An acknowledged master of public relations, Thaksin, who made his fortune in Thailand’s telecom industry, has continued his presence in Thailand during his absence through video and audio feeds and interviews with international and Thai media in Dubai.
What makes Thaksin a unique case, as opposed to other de-posed Thai prime ministers, is his ability to penetrate Thailand’s air space through the use of advanced satellite communications, circumventing attempts to make him fade into the dust bin of his-tory.
Thailand is no stranger to coups and exiled leaders. According to Nicholas Farrelly of the New Mandala web site, there have been 11 “successful” coups and nine “unsuccessful” coups in 20th cen-tury Thailand. The 2006 coup in Thailand that deposed Thaksin surprised many Thais as the last previous coup had occurred in
1992 and most Thais felt that coups were a matter of history. Following the current election, however, the military has ac-
cepted the Pheu Thai victory stating that it would not intervene or prevent Yingluck Shinawatra from forming a new government.
This gives the country hope as during the last six years there has been an occupation of Bangkok’s two airports, a blockade of parliament, an assassination attempt and street protests resulting in deaths.
How did she get here?
Yingluck Shinawatra, 44, was handpicked by her brother to contest the recent election but up to that time she had pursued a career as a low-profile business executive and mother.
Thaksin said that he selected her as she was a relative and therefore, someone he could trust. However, when her name first surfaced, she expressed reluctance “I’m not ready to give up my life, and particularly my son’s happiness, in exchange for the top spot on the party list,” she said earlier this year. Her husband, Anusorn Amornchat, is president of mobile handset distributor M-Link Asia Corp.
Ms. Yingluck was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, received a bach-elor’s degree from Chiang Mai University and a master’s degree from Kentucky State University in 1991, both in public administra-tion. Over 20 years, she became managing director of property developer SC Asset and president of Advanced Info Service, Thai-land’s largest mobile phone operator. SC Asset still remains part of her brother’s business empire.
Before she was selected, the Pheu Thai party trailed the Democrats in opinion polls as it lacked a recognizable leader and a sense of direction. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolved parliament on May 10, and Thaksin nominated his sister. As she made more appearances on the campaign trail, she appeared to gain confidence in meeting with villagers especially in the north, where she could bring her northern accent into play.
However, several Thai media have observed how tightly man-aged and scripted she has been during the campaign. This is not surprising given her lack of political experience and her initial reluctance to take up the role of the nominee in the first place.
Her photogenic qualities and her appeal to women voters were key vote-attracting qualities, while her opponent, Mr. Abhisit, has often been criticized for being ill at ease among many voter seg-ments.
The Pheu Thai campaign seemed to gain momentum whatever the critics said as Yingluck struck a responsive chord during her personal appearances.
Born: In Chiang Mai, Thailand, 21 June 1967
Education: Obtained a bachelor’s degree from Chiang Mai University in 1988 and a master’s degree from Kentucky State University, both in public administration, in 1991.
Business career: In 1994, she became the general manag-er of Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of International Broadcast-ing Corporation. She left as Deputy CEO of IBC in 2002, and became the CEO of Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand’s largest mobile phone operator. Ms Yingluck resigned from AIS in 2006, but remained Managing Director of SC Asset Co Ltd.
Politics: After the governing People’s Power party was banned by the Constitutional Court on 2 December 2008, many People’s Power Party MPs formed the Pheu Thai Party. Yingluck was asked to become the leader of the party.
However, she refused to accept the position, saying that she did not want to be prime minister and wanted to focus on business.
US diplomatic cables leaked in 2011 revealed that during a 9 September 2009 meeting, former Deputy Prime Minister and “close Thaksin ally” Sompong Amornvivat told Ambassador to Thailand Eric John that he did not envision a big role for Yingluck in the Pheu Thai Party, and that “Thaksin himself was not eager to raise her profile within the party, and was more focused on finding ways to keep his own hand active in politics.” However, in a subsequent cable dated 25 November 2009, the Ambassador noted that in a meeting with Yingluck, she spoke with confidence about the “operations, strategy and goals” of the Pheu Thai party and seemed “far more poised” than in previous meetings.
29May-June 2011 • Magazine The Voice of Southeast Asia28 Magazine • May-June 2011
Asia’s Next Trillion Dollar Economy
B 30-Page Special
old New Asean
Helping Thailand Go Global
AVisit to Myanmar’s Kachin State
Display Until 30 AugMay-June 2011 | Vol.5 No.3 | ASEANAFFAIRS.COMSpecial Edition
DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHS IN THAILAND
Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister-elect, led the Pheu Thai party
to an historic landslide win in the recent Thai election and hopes to take the country on the
road to reconciliation.
S. Roy, Founder AseanAffairs informing Yingluck Shinawatra on the AseanAffairs TV debate on Thai Elections.
STORYCOVER
What next?
In line with previous Shinawatra campaigns, the Pheu Thai party came up with a list of 31 proposals, often described by Thai media as “populist” programs, comprising its election platform.
Local media describe the proposals as offering the benefits of a casino without individual risk to voters, but perhaps a collective risk to the Thai economy.
The top proposals are: doubling the minimum daily wage to 300 baht (US$10) per day in some parts of the country; rice price guarantees, building 10 lines of Bangkok’s elevated train with fares of 20 baht ($.67); a high-speed rail system to Korat, Rayong and Chantaburi; expansion of the current airport rail link to Pattaya; construction of land bridges in the south of Thailand; all illegal drugs to “disappear within 12 months; poverty eradicated by 2020; local governments will receive 25 percent more funding; credit cards to farmers to buy planting supplies; reduction of the corpo-rate tax from 30 percent to 23 percent; employees with bachelor’s degrees will start work at 15,000 baht per month ($500); students receive a free tablet PC; free Wi-Fi in public places and the salaries of government workers and those in state enterprises will be raised and establishing capital venture funds for each province.
However, efforts by Thailand’s incoming government to spur growth and raise incomes may accelerate inflation, forcing interest
rates higher and increasing business costs even as a rising baht threatens exports.
Thai inflation held near a 32-month high in June after food prices increased, the Ministry of Commerce said July 1. The Bank of Thailand last month raised the nation’s benchmark interest rate for the fourth straight time to 3 percent, and signaled further increases may be needed to curb rising prices.
The Thai economy has been doing relatively well with the economy expected to expand 4.5 percent this year. However, the Democrats’ inability to control the price of basic food items such as eggs and palm oil may have played a factor in their defeat.
However, the proposed programs come with a price tag and they could destabilize the Thai economy. Of greatest concern is that there is no clear-cut plan by the Pheu Thai party to pay for the proposals.
Critics raise questions
Thailand risks slipping into a fiscal crisis similar to the current situation in Western economies and new policies could erode consumer power if the new government substantially expands fiscal spending, warns Bank of Thailand governor Prasarn Trairat-vorakul.
The 2012 annual budget, which will have to be finalized by the new government, should not allow the deficit to exceed 350 billion
Pichai Naripthaphan (1st left), Advisor to the Pheu Thai party leader and member of the economic team of the party flashes the No.1 sign of the Pheu Thai party, 1July 2011 at the party’s final rally before the general election at Rajamangala stadium, Bangkok.
S. Roy, Founder AseanAffairs, congratulates Yingluck Shinawatra.
S. Roy Founder AseanAffairs greeting Yingluck Shinawatra.
A crowd scene at the final Pheu Thai rally.
ASEAN AFFAIRS FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN, SWARUP ROY CONGRATULATES PRIME MINISTER-ELECT YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA
Asean Affairs congratulates Yingluck Shinawatra on her election to the
post of prime minister in the recent Thai elections. We hope that her election opens a new page in the
evolution of democracy in Thailand and our best wishes go to her new
government.
baht ($11.3 billion) as planned currently, he recently said.The government should also avoid huge spending by other fis-
cal means or short-term measures to inflate people’s incomes, he added.
“The fiscal deficit should not be extended much more [than 350 billion baht in the next fiscal year]. There is no need for much more economic stimulus. Otherwise we are sending inappropriate signals to the market while inflation risks are already high,” said Dr.Prasarn. “The economy has sound growth momentum, but infla-tion risks persist.”
High food and fuel prices as the economy percolates have led the central bank to increase the policy interest rate by a total of 1.75 percentage points to 3 percent since July 2010.
Generous campaign promises have run counter to plans for a balanced budget, excluding debt repayment, by 2015, according to Dr. Prasarn. Some of the more substantial short-term public spend-ing plans involve simultaneous investments in transport routes and big increases in the minimum wage and salaries of new graduates.
Dr. Prasarn added that Thailand’s ageing society was placing more pressure on fiscal expenditures.
Dr. Somchai Jitsuchon, of the Thailand Development and Re-search Institute, said the future of the Thai economy was especial-ly dependent on political stability during hard times in the global economy, given the huge importance of exports. He believed most investors would have preferred a Democrat-led government, if only for continuity in policies already introduced.
A Pheu Thai administration, he said, could raise concerns among investors over the political stability of the new government. The
solid majority of the new government may have quashed those fears, however.
Much depends on how quickly Pheu Thai implements its poli-cies. Economists propose a gradual approach, however, most say it appears that the party wants proposals to be put in place quickly.
It would seem that the stage is set for tensions to grow between the Bank of Thailand and the new government. These tensions may be the first indicator of dissatisfaction with the Pheu Thai govern-ment’s economic policies, particularly if they stimulate inflation.
Economic outlook
Here is a look at some likely winners and losers from the eco-nomic policies of the Pheu Thai party.
Pheu Thai plans easier access to credit, social benefits and price subsidies that spur consumption and this should benefit the retail and property sectors.
Convenience store chains such as Charoen Pokphand, retailer Big C, Siam Makro and building materials supplier Home Product Center should also benefit.
In the property sector, Pheu Thai promises zero-percent, five-year mortgages, exemption from transfer and mortgage fees and a 50 percent cut in business tax for first homes priced below 4 million baht ($133,000).
If the policies are implemented, property firms will benefit from both higher demand and lower costs. Leading homebuilder Land & Houses would be a top pick.
Developers that focus on medium- to low-priced homes such
31May-June 2011 • Magazine The Voice of Southeast Asia30 Magazine • May-June 2011
Asia’s Next Trillion Dollar Economy
B 30-Page Special
old New Asean
Helping Thailand Go Global
AVisit to Myanmar’s Kachin State
Display Until 30 AugMay-June 2011 | Vol.5 No.3 | ASEANAFFAIRS.COMSpecial Edition
DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHS IN THAILAND
Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister-elect, led the Pheu Thai party
to an historic landslide win in the recent Thai election and hopes to take the country on the
road to reconciliation.
STORYCOVER
as LPN Development, Supalai, Pruksa Real Estate and MK Real Estate could benefit the most.
Stronger housing demand and populist spending in rural areas should boost spending on house renovation in the provinces, help-ing building material firms such as Siam Cement and Siam City Cement.
Pheu Thai is also expected to implement a policy of returning taxes to first-time car buyers, which should stimulate demand and benefit car parts makers such as Somboon Advance Technology and AAPICO Hitech.
Pheu Thai also plans to raise minimum wages, which would push up operating costs in the labor-intensive electronics sector.
Integrated circuit packager Hana Microelectromics, Star Micro-electronic and Cal-Comp Electronics may be affected.
Infrastructure
Spending on infrastructure projects should continue, but some projects may be delayed due to the change in government. Italian-Thai Development could benefit most from spending, followed by Ch. Karnchang.
However, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction may be hurt by Pheu Thai’s victory. ChaowaratCharnveerakul, leader of the Bhum Jai Thai Party -- a member of the outgoing coalition of the Democrat Party -- is a founder of the company.
Telecoms
Pheu Thai wants to liberalize the telecoms industry, with a new regulatory framework and new licenses for third-generation mo-bile and satellite services.
That would benefit top mobile firm Advanced Info Service Pcl (AIS) and satellite firm Thaicom, affiliates of Shin Corp Pcl, which was founded by de facto Pheu Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Second-ranked Total Access Communication (DTAC) should also benefit.
Thaksin made his fortune in the telecoms sector with Shin Corp. His family sold a controlling stake in the company to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings in 2006, triggering the events that led to his overthrow by the military in September of that year.
In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled Thaksin had concealed owner-ship of shares in Shin and tailored government policies to benefit Shin, AIS and Thaicom when in office.
The court ruling led to an investigation into the operating concessions of AIS and Thaicom, which raised concerns that the companies might have to pay higher fees or fines. Some analysts
say the risk would be reduced with Puea Thai in power.The outlook for rival True Corp, which appears to have done
well under the Democrat government, seems less rosy.After the collapse of a tender for new 3G bandwidth amid
regulatory wrangling, True signed deals with CAT Telecom that extended its concession by 15 years and enabled it to be the first to launch nationwide 3G services on an existing network.
The True-CAT deal was already being probed by state agencies. True is part of unlisted food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, which is among big donors to the Democrat party.
Companies with political links
Shares in SC Asset Corp, the property arm of the Shinawatr family, hit a seven-year high after the election, Yingluck Shinawa-tra was managing director of the company until being selected to head Pheu Thai’s campaign.
Although she has now resigned all her positions in the com-pany, some investors feel SC Asset will benefit while she leads the government.
Her husband, AnusornAmornchat, is president of handset dis-tributor M-Link Asia Corp. Shares of M-Link, which was founded by Thaksin’s other two sisters, are also expected to rise.
State companies
Analysts expect more political interference and continued price subsidies.
Top energy firm PTT Pcl, which suffers losses in its natural gas for vehicles (NGV) business as a result of state intervention to hold down prices, wants the next government to review policy so that NGV prices reflect costs.
Policies at state-controlled companies such as PTT, Thai Air-ways International, second-largest lender Krung Thai Bank and broadcaster MCOT may be reviewed by the next government.
The finance ministry currently plans to reduce its holdings in the four companies. It has 51 percent of Thai Airways, whose plans to start a budget airline have been caught up in controversy between the finance and transport ministries.
Ms. Yingluck has described state-run firms as “not dynamic” and said state control was not good.
Amnesty flashpoint
On the political side, the main issue that could set Thailand on edge is the issue of amnesty, which is a part of the “reconciliation”
(left) Mr. Wannarat Charnnukul, Chart Pattana Pue Pandin; Major Gen.Sanan Kajornprasart, Chart Thai Pattana; Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Pheu Thai; Mr. Yongyout Wichaidit, Pheu Thai and Mr. Chao Maneewong, Palung Chon, celebrate their coalition.
The coalition leaclers face the press. From left, Major Gen.Sanan Kajornprasart, Chart Thai Pattana; Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Pheu Thai; Mr. Yongyout Wichaidit, Pheu Thai. answer questions from the press corps.
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra arrives at Rajmangala Stadium for the final pre-election rally.
“THERE IS A LOT MORE HARD WORK TO DO IN FUTURE FOR THE WELLBEING OF OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS, THE PEOPLE OF THAILAND. THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH TO
MAKE RECONCILIATION POSSIBLE, PAVING THE WAY FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A FLOURISHING NATION.”-YINGLUCK
Chalerm Yubramrung gives a fiery speech to a large crowd at Rajmangala Stadium.
proposal of the Pheu Thai party.Ms.Yingluck said July 4 the most urgent task for her administration
to undertake is national reconciliation. She continued, “There is a lot more hard work to do in the future for the wellbeing of our sis-ters and brothers, the people of Thailand. There are many things to accomplish to make reconciliation possible, paving the way for a solid foundation for a flourishing nation.”
Much speculation has focused on how the individual case of her brother will be handled. Mr. Thaksin has been handed down a 2-year prison sentence for corruption and graft while in office. Any attempt to absolve him would certainly touch off street dem-onstrations.
However, he is not the only one that is battling charges. Red shirt leaders who are allied with the Pheu Thai party and partici-pated in last year’s demonstrations, which led to 91 deaths and an arson attack on public and private buildings in Bangkok, also face terrorism charges.
The Truth for Reconciliation Committee, appointed by the
Democrat-led government and chaired by Kanitna Nakorn, will continue to perform its duty to forge national unity along with an independent working group to be established by the new govern-ment.
However, in her usually strident manner, Thida Thavornset, the chairperson of the red shirt movement, called on the new govern-ment to bring those responsible for the killings of red shirt people to justice.
Ms. Thida said she would demand the new government provide justice over the killings of 91 people and the injuries of 2,000 people and to investigate and pinpoint those who ordered the crackdowns on the red-shirt protesters. She said outgoing prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and officials in the Centre for Resolu-tions of Emergency Situation would be held responsible for the deaths and injuries.
Without question, the interlinked reconciliation and amnesty questions will be the most volatile issue that the new government will have to address.
