Ukrit Mongkolnavin, chairman of the Independent Committee for Promotion of the Rule of Law, has proposed the establishment of a "council of senior advisers" to help the government formulate a solution to the end of the political conflict and move toward political reform and reconciliation. (Corrected: Not Kanit na Nakorn of the Law Reform Commission as earlier reported)
Mr Ukrit made this proposal after being approached by Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana and PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, who visited him at his residence in Soi Ruam Ruedee 3 in Pathumwan district on Monday morning.
He was invited to take part in a forum to discuss setting up a council for political reform, as proposed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, to find a way out of the mess.
Mr Ukrit said he agreed in principle with the government's intention to bring about reconciliation and for all sides in the conflict to sit down together and hammer out a solution.
However, he said he was afraid the proposal might not be acceptable to all concerned, since they adhere tightly to their own respective opinions and have many different demands.
Mr Ukrit proposed that the government invite senior people in the country who are now out of the political circle to form a "council of seniors", an advisory council. The members could include former prime ministers, former parliament presidents, former Supreme Court president and others.
Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, a statesman and president of the Privy Council, in particular, must be included, he said.
If all of these people agreed to join the council of seniors, he would also take part in the process for political reform, Mr Ukrit said.
Asked about calls for all amnesty-related bills to be withdrawn from the House of Representatives, Mr Ukrit said all those involved should pay close attention to them, because it would take time before the withdrawal of the bills could be completed.