Where are the promised public hearings on reconciliation?

Published: 29 May 2012 at 12.06
Online news: Opinion

It looks as if we were all duped about the promised public hearings on reconciliation. The reconciliation bill was instead rushed to the parliament and is set to be debated on the same time that many world leaders are in Bangkok for the World Economic Forum.

I wonder whether Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit still remembers that promise he made a month or so ago about the reconciliation bill proposed by former coup maker General Sonthi Boonyaratklin’s panel, a plan that was selectively gleaned from the report of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI).

Yongyuth Wichaidit (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

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johninbkk
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Discussion 19 : 01 Jun 2012 at 22.4319
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howell 18 - "TRC was set up by Thaksin's government"
According to BP, "The TRC was set up by the Abhisit government following the political violence in 2010"
http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/285979/

Also, no KPI options were dropped. The KPI report was a list of recommendations for a reconciliation bill, details of which have not yet been voted on.
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howell
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Discussion 18 : 30 May 2012 at 21.3718
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@johninbkk. Got your facts wrong. TRCT was set up AV. The similarly and deceptively named TRC was set up by Thaksin's government. They recommended rewarding red shirts etc.

The KPI report had 3 options, however Thaksin/PTP quickly dumped the others with next to no debate and pretend (lie) that the KPI proposed only a Thaksin whitewash.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 17 : 29 May 2012 at 22.5417
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All major points of the Reconciliation Bill was proposed by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, consisting of PAD members directly appointed by AV in 2010. The actual specific details of the bill were written and proposed 6 months ago by the leader of the 2006 coup, with much of it publicly debated from the KPI report. Yet, somehow, this is being twisted as TS rushing the bill through with it only benefiting himself.
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englishjon
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Discussion 16 : 29 May 2012 at 22.1516
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I'm a little mystified about how people have been giving credence to the rhetoric surrounding the 'reconcilliation' activities and the promises of a fair process.

The railroading of the reconcilliation bill and charter amendments through the legal system as fast as possible (before people have a chance to stop it) makes the real objectives quite clear.

TS wants to come home and regain his power. Nothing else matters.

"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". A bit of a cliche now - but entirely relevant to Thailand at this time.
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bula
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Discussion 15 : 29 May 2012 at 20.5515
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AV should report to relevant authority on his asking about the 400 million baht budget supposedly allocated by the government for the purpose of staging the public hearings. Don't use the word 'supposedly' in your accusation but be specific. BTW, the government has not adopted any bill for public hearing. Bills from different groups will go through parliamentary process.
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drsmith
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Discussion 14 : 29 May 2012 at 19.4714
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If the people do nothing except hide behind the pen, then it is their own fault for getting duped. Until Thai's rise up and hold politicians accountable for their actions, getting duped will be part of daily life. Psst! Did you hear Thailand sells fake Rolex's?
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airborne
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Discussion 13 : 29 May 2012 at 19.2313
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Where can I go to line up for a taste of the leftover 400 million bhat. Or maybe it will be packed in a diplomatic bag and sent off to wherever.
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bluebkk
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Discussion 12 : 29 May 2012 at 19.0812
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The worst is not the daily lies of this government- we're already used to them. The worst is the 400 million Baht..Who stole them?? Or have they already been distributed to the PT/UDD Mp's and their allies ...or to the master of the reconciliation farce?? Or have they been sent abroad as " return on Investment"????
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 11 : 29 May 2012 at 19.0711
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This article mentions that the plan may collapse because the hardcore red-shirts don’t like “paragraph 2 of Section 2 which seeks to pardon all government officials from then prime minister Abhisit down who were involved in the crackdown on red-shirt protesters during their protest in April-May 2010.”
I wonder why the author of this article, Veera Prateepchaikul, thinks that the “entire reconciliation plan may collapse if paragraph 2 of Section 2 of General Sonthi’s bill is to be deleted as demanded by the red-shirts.”
PThaksin and its coalition partners have the majority and they can make this law with or without paragraph 2 of Section 2. I guess they are all happier if that paragraph is deleted. The only important issue for PThaksin is that the fugitive criminal will be whitewashed. Or does anybody still think PThaksin is genuine interested in reconciliation? Look at their actions and there is no question at all about what they want – supported by the majority.
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howell
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Discussion 10 : 29 May 2012 at 19.0610
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Public hearings ? No way PTP would allow them; people would be able to ask questions.

Thaksin's party showing their true nature : liars. But what to expect when their leader cannot breath but lie ?

Oh, nearly forgot, and thieves. 400 million baht not accounted for. That should fill a lot of pastry boxes.
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