Annan hails Thai reconciliation

Published: 17/02/2012 at 08:18 PM
Online news:

The Thai government has received encouragement from former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan for its efforts to promote political and social reconciliation.

Mr Annan offered the support during a meeting on Friday afternoon with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The former UN chief is visiting Thailand along with former president Martti Ahtisaari of Finland, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. The two men are on a four-day visit at the invitation of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to advise the agency and other parties on the reconciliation process.During the meeting, Ms Yingluck emphasised that building reconciliation in the country was the government's top priority, and that it would adhere to the principles of transparency, obedience to law and democratic process as well as respect for human rights.The government has approved compensation packages for victims of political violence to show its responsibility and regret for what happened in recent years without taking sides, she said. Mr Annan and...

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med142
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Discussion 15 : 20/02/2012 at 11:20 AM15
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disc9# does that include Abhasit? Thai Enews will give you all the answers.And show all documents.
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abbub
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Discussion 14 : 18/02/2012 at 04:17 PM14
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SIAMITUDE D9: That is not possible. The military will; never allow its top ranking officers to be jailed.
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abbub
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Discussion 13 : 18/02/2012 at 04:16 PM13
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GEOFFO D6: You are absolutely right, it takes both sides. But in the Thai case it takes at least three sides:

1) The current government is after all now on its knees again begging to be allowed to play the game even according the rules it previously shunned;
2) Abhisit and Suthep should 'fess up to ave ordered the onslaught against manly unarmed civilians, and;
3) The military should apologize for the 2006 coup and swear an oath never to interfere in the evolution of democracy again.

BLUE D1: You are right. The current government has shown it true face and now grovels one front of the same people it fought against during the previous post-coup years. They are only interested in their own wealth and power and sadly having to admit it...TS.

But in Thailand that IS reconciliation; "please, let is come back into the fold" The PT is sacrificing its voters for the sake of their own wallets and political influence.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 12 : 18/02/2012 at 12:55 PM12
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englishbob D4 - She doesn't accuse/blame the opposition for anything. She has the head of the 2006 coup supporting the drafting of a new constitution. The war-hawk Gen P has become a peaceful puppy. According to recent polls, 65.8% of the population now support her. Yellow/Red street protests are almost non-existent now. For just 6 months I think that's a huge accomplishment in the direction of reconciliation. Yes, you are right, she isn't the best of public speakers - but actions speak louder than words, no?
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bluebottle
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Discussion 11 : 18/02/2012 at 12:30 PM11
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Universe would have been better planet is too small.These people are paid a lot of money to appear as if they know and understand They really are 180 degrees out with there comments because they are told only what the politicians want to tell them and that is far from the truth.
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med142
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Discussion 10 : 18/02/2012 at 10:47 AM10
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Hey People get over it. The UN knew all about what was going on more than any of the people here.
Now get over. Was not help from the UN refused?
As long as there are people here that think like this there will never ever be reconciliation in Thailand. Get over it. Move on.
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siamitude
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Discussion 9 : 18/02/2012 at 10:25 AM9
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Send the perpetrators of may 2010 violences in jail first.
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bikeme
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Discussion 8 : 18/02/2012 at 08:27 AM8
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Interesting to see the fire and brimstone from the peanut gallery about a non-news story. Did you folks read the article?

The two men agreed that reconciliation is a key to Thailand's future, I think we all agree to that. But that is not condoning or deriding the UDD/PTP/DEM, it is a simple statement of a universal truth.

The two men also thought the TRC had a crucial role in this, well of course they will say this because the TRC picked up the tab for their visit.

The entire article is nothing more than a report of pleasantries exchanged by politicians and advisers.
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dao
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Discussion 7 : 18/02/2012 at 07:07 AM7
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Translation he is happy the UDD has stopped violent protests for Thaksin .
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geoffo
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Discussion 6 : 18/02/2012 at 05:17 AM6
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Doesn't reconciliation normally involve both sides.

Yingluks big brother has yet to admit his role in orchestrating the formation of armed milita by Sae Daeng as well as his role as head of UDD yet along apologize.
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Annan hails Thai reconciliation | Bangkok Post: breakingnews