Sondhi Limthongkul and Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), on Wednesday turned down an invitation by former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa to take part in the political reform assembly initiated by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy Sondhi Limthongkul, left, and Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, centre, welcome former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa at Mr Sondhi's Ban Phra Arthit home for talks on political reform. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
Mr Banharn, who is coordinator of the reform assembly push, went to Mr Sondhi's house on Phra Arthit Road this morning to extend the invitation.
He was accompanied by Somsak Prisnananthakul, a key member of the Chartthaipattana Party, and businessman Sawat Horungruang.
Mr Banharn urged the two PAD leaders to take part in the political reform assembly, to strengthen democracy with the King as head of state and promote good governance and trust among the people for mutual interests.
Maj Gen Chamlong said he did not think the reform assembly was necessary because it was obvious that the current conflict was caused by the prime minister herself in pushing for passage of an amnesty law, the 2.2 trillion baht loan bill and for constitutional amendment.
These problems should be solved at the root cause, he said.
Mr Sondhi said he sympathised with Mr Banharn for having been tasked to help the government cool down the political temperature.
He had raised many questions for Mr Banharn to answer, such as whether he thought former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should return to the country and serve a jail term handed down by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, and whether he agreed to passing a law to grant amnesty for Thaksin.
Mr Banharn had replied that Thaksin is not giving directives to the government, as many people speculate.
The conversation between Mr Banharn and the two PAD leaders was broadcast live on ASTV Channel and ASTV website.