Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, participate in the reconciliation forum. The forum, an idea of Prime Minister Yingluck to end all political conflicts, will be held in Bangkok on September 2.
The arrival of Blair and Annan has been announced by Yingluck, although both have yet to officially confirm it. They will give a speech in the morning, which will be broadcast on TV with Thai translation. The afternoon is set aside for a seminar with all Thai parties involved. In addition to these two, a dozen international leaders have been invited to share their experiences of reconciliation with Thailand.
Opposition party Democrats and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD, yellow shirts) have already announced that they will not participate in the forum unless the amnesty proposals are withdrawn. One was already adopted by parliament at first reading this week. Yingluck hopes they will change their minds.
Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana and Varathep Rattanakorn (PM's Office) are currently trying to persuade prominent Thais to join Yingluck's round table. Bhichai Rattakul, former Democratic party leader, has already pledged.
Yesterday he received a visit from both ministers. Bhichai said he is ready to cooperate with any measure that can bring peace to the country. But he warned that the forum should not serve the interests of one political party or individual. Those who participate in the forum should not set any preconditions.
Phongthep and Varathep also invited Anuthin Charnvirakul, leader of opposition party Bhumjaithai. Informally he has announced that he wants to accept the invitation, but on Tuesday the party will select who will delegate them. In addition to politicians, both also approach representatives of the private sector, such as the president of the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
(Source: bangkok mail, August 10st 2013)
Photos: Phongthep Thepkanchana and Varathep Rattanakorn visiting Bhichai Rattakul (left).
When I read this article, I had to think back to my primary school period and specifically to the Dutch language subject. We then got something written down and then had to tell them what time it was. You know, the present tense, the past tense, the future tense.
But the meeting as described in the article is definitely in the "lost" time.
I am a little less gloomy than you, dear Gerrie. It's always good to talk and let's see how it turns out first. I think Yingluck strikes a conciliatory tone more often than her confrontational eldest brother.
This would of course be a great initiative to involve these 2 heavyweights, but of course there is always something behind the Shinawatra family.
How about the following:
Tony Blair and Thaksin are both shareholders of the Carlyle Group
Kofi Annan and Thaksin are both shareholders of JP Morgan and George Soros
So, without further ado, we will speak “unbiasedly”.
There always seems to be a snake in the grass.
A textbook example of a PR stunt from I have you there, courtesy Thaksin. I can hardly imagine an egg like Blair understanding how complicated Thai politics and current divisions are, let alone understanding how the current political malaise came about. We are talking about the same Blair, who, like his friend George W. Bush, was convinced that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction? That Blair right? Dan Kofi. Nice man, but there is nothing on his resume that makes you think: "Wow, that man has really caused a revolution."
Why am I so cynical? The two gentlemen have a price tag. For an hour of Blair you will soon lose 200.000 euros. Don't believe me, google it. Mr Anan doesn't do it for much less and Thaksin has the money, notably the man who once shouted "The UN is not my father" when he was called on the mat by the UN because he wanted to curb press freedom in this beautiful country .
Thaksin is a master of playing public opinion and never misses an opportunity to stay in the news. According to Thaksin, it is only about Thaksin and Blair and Anan are just his new toys.
Blair and Anan haven't agreed yet. Given the time span, September 2, and the agenda of both men, I have yet to see if they will indeed come. It's a good PR for PP though.
Incidentally, I do hope that this seminar will continue and with parties that do not set any preconditions. Also that all parties are open to the ideas of the other side. It's time to speak honestly about the issues without reservation.
No blank amnesty, but stave off those who were wrong. Every day in the south you see the consequences of denying guilt, now more than 5.000 deaths.
@ Ruud NK Bangkok Post writes: Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Mr Blair and Mr Annan have unofficially accepted the invitation, but the government was still awaiting official confirmation. For what it's worth, because BP writes it and then you know it.
Fine piece of propaganda. It is incomprehensible that these gentlemen lend themselves to this. There's nothing left of that Blair's veracity anyway, but I didn't expect this from Annan. Cor must be right. Completely ridiculous charade.