The Pheu Thai Party proposed an independent body yesterday comprising all stakeholders including media representatives and civic groups be set up to bring about unity and reconciliation.
The proposal was unveiled as a group of key party members met a subcommittee on national reconciliation to gather opinions from parties regarding the government's policy. The meeting was held at the Defence Ministry.
The party delegation was led by acting leader Wirote Pao-in, acting secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Chusak Sirinil and Bhokin Bhalakula.
In its document to be submitted to the subcommittee at the meeting, the former ruling party suggested a committee be formed to work on reconciliation.
To gain public trust, the committee must be independent and inclusive. Representatives from the media and civic groups as well as academics must be brought into the unity-building process, it said.
According to the party, this process should also be free from interference by the regime, which could guarantee a smooth transition to an elected government.
It suggested that parties involved in conflicts should be identified to ensure all aspects of the problem get a hearing, saying disputes and divisiveness were not limited to rival political groups or parties.
The party said the unity-building process should encompass identifying and accepting the causes of conflicts without assigning blame; rehabilitating people affected by conflicts under the rule of law; and finding measures to promote the rule of law and further prevent conflicts such as initiating judicial reforms.
The party stressed that any guidelines for reconciliation be drawn up after the opinion gathering process should be accepted by, not forced on, participants of the process.
Following the three-hour talk with the subcommittee, Mr Bhokin explained the parties involved in the conflicts ranged from the poor to the rich to political parties to the military.
He called on all sides to refrain from attacking each other or resorting to hate speech, saying that in some cases small disputes escalated due to an exchange of heated words.
He pointed out the justice administration system and public independent agencies should strictly maintain neutrality and avoid creating double standards or an abuse of power.
He also praised the government for its efforts in fostering national unity.
"Over the past month we have seen a strong will and we hope [the government] will carry it on," Mr Bhokin said. "Reconciliation takes time, even after a general election.
"Is it possible to have an independent committee that comes from all sectors? The committee may help outline the reconciliation road-map and how it should proceed step-by-step."
Mr Bhokin said the political environment was a key factor and must be made conducive to talks.
The Pheu Thai member, however, declined to discuss if an amnesty plan would be part of the reconciliation process, saying that it was too early to discuss the matter and it was not raised during the talks.