The so-called "deliberative dialogue" scheduled to be staged in Nakhon Ratchasima this coming Sunday by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung is anything but a deliberative dialogue in its true meaning.
It does not qualify as a public forum either for the mere fact that the planned session does not have the participation of the public or the opposition camp.
The talking session is the initiative of Mr Chalerm in his new role as chairman of the committee which is following up the recommendations made by the defunct Truth for Reconciliation Commission.
It is to be attended by some 1,000 officials in Nakhon Ratchasima with two former Thai Rak Thai MPs, Sutham Saengprathum and Adisorn Piangkate, being chosen as the speakers.
And the gist of the talk, according to Mr Chalerm, is all about the sinister threat of a coup d'etat, in particular the Sept 19 putsch in 2006 which resulted in the overthrow of the Thaksin government.
Mr Chalerm is undoubtedly right about the evils of a coup and why we Thais must reject coups outright.
But if the real agenda of this meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima is to pave the way for the revival of the controversial reconciliation bill shelved since July, Mr Chalerm should be more open-minded enough to allow other stakeholders as well as the opposition to participate in the process.
But more importantly, the talking session must not be used to incite hatred against any political or non-political groupings but should try to create a reconciliatory atmosphere and build trust among all opposing political forces.
By chance or by design, a rally is to be held this Sunday in Bangkok by an anti-government group known as the Pitak Siam.
In sharp contrast to Mr Chalerm's coup-bashing rhetoric, the group's chief organiser, retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, takes a pro-coup stance unashamedly.
He was quoted to have said that he would have staged a coup by now had he been in a position to do so, so upset is he with this government.
Neither of these two extreme views represented by Mr Chalerm and Gen Boonlert will help in building trust between the opposing colour-coded political factions. Nor will they help in creating an atmosphere conducive to reconciliatory talks by all stakeholders which are yet to start but which are needed if we are to overcome the conflicts of the past.
The same also holds true for the ruling Pheu Thai Party's unsubstantiated accusation of a five-step coup plot by certain unidentified elements to overthrow the government.
The format for the Nakhon Ratchasima meeting should be changed to involve more participants, and the topics of discussion should be expanded to cover more than just the coup issue.
More importantly, the discussion should be conducted by an impartial body such as the King Prajadhipok's Institute rather than by such partisan elements as former Thak Rak Thai MPs or by the Ministry of Interior.
The government regards the rally planned by the Pitak Siam group with suspicion, because of Gen Boonlert's open advocacy of a coup.
As a matter of fact, the rally itself is unnecessary if it is meant to show dissent against the government over its alleged incompetence in tackling corruption and alleged inaction against criticism of the monarchy as there are other more suitable channels through which the group can voice its views.