SOCIAL CRITIC SPEAKS
POST REPORTERS
Social critic Prawase Wasi has called on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to make serious attempts to distance himself from politics. Mr Thaksin is the only person who can defuse the ongoing political conflict by washing his hands of politics and clearly demonstrating that he has done so, Dr Prawase wrote in his article released yesterday.
He suggested Mr Thaksin do some soul-searching based on Buddhist teachings, have humility, learn to forgive and refrain from seeking revenge.
A complete transformation of character could help Mr Thaksin win back respect and trust from his critics, said Dr Prawase.
He also said court proceedings are the best way to overcome the current political conflict as the court will decide whether or not Mr Thaksin is guilty of the corruption and abuse of authority charges levelled against him.
The judicial system will eventually establish the truth acceptable to all sides, he added.
Different views about Mr Thaksin have divided Thai society, he said. One side adores Mr Thaksin as a hero and a capable leader who cares for the poor and can lead the country to success.
The other side sees him as a villain and an autocrat who will get the country into trouble.
According to Dr Prawase, the nation will not get anywhere unless people stop thinking about rewriting the constitution, staging a coup, dissolving political parties, or dissolving the House.
One has to make the best of the present situation where the People Power party is the core of the coalition government, he said.
The government itself must try to make improvements and may need to reshuffle the cabinet to bring in new members with a more acceptable image, Dr Prawase said.
The government also must give assurances that it will not meddle with the judicial process.
He added that although demonstrations are allowed by the constitution, protesters must obey the law and the government must not use force to disperse them.
Navy chief Adm Satirapan Keyanont yesterday called on all parties involved in the on-going political conflict to take one step back and work together to sort out their political differences.
''Political problems must be solved only by the politicians themselves. Others can do nothing about it,'' said Adm Satirapan, one of the leaders of the Sept 19, 2006 coup that toppled the Thaksin administration.
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