Reconciliation centres set up in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) plans to set up reconciliation centres nationwide, aimed at fostering unity among people at all levels, paving the way for a national reform. Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Spokesman Colonel Banpot Pulpian told a press conference on Friday that Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in his capacity as the NCPO chief, has assigned the ISOC to be in charge of two major tasks, including developing national unity and reform. According to the ISOC spokesman, the permanent secretary for defence has, thus, been responsible for driving ahead the two tasks through activities within the NCPO guided framework. The spokesman acknowledged that activities to build up national reconciliation have been started in several areas, focused on promoting amicable affection among locals nationwide, from the family to the community, village, sub-district, district and provincial levels. The spokesman assessed that modeled activities should become clearer after every area is prepared and the process might take time due to different problems in different areas. The spokesman said the NCPO has asked for cooperation from everybody not to be concerned that the planned national reform would eventually lead to an amnesty or not to punish wrongdoers, as the main objective of the reconciliation centres is to build national unity within the legal framework. Meanwhile, more people, including several politicians under the Pheu Thai Party, have continued to report themselves to the NCPO at the Thai Army Auditorium in Bangkok’s Thewes area as ordered. Core leaders of the red-clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have, in the meantime, kept a low profile after being released from the military detention, in the wake of a coup pursued by the NCPO on May 22, while pro-UDD satellite television stations have also remained off the air, as instructed by the coup council. A UDD spokesman told TNA although UDD core leaders have been ordered by the military not to make any movement, they would “continue to fight” for democracy under the NCPO's rules, stating that the NCPO should be given an opportunity to solve national problems first. The UDD spokesman noted that the UDD is monitoring closely whether the NCPO's planned national reform could bring about a fresh general election and fair results acceptable by all parties. A UDD lawyer, Karom Polpornklang, announced that he and other UDD lawyers are ready to offer free legal advice to any people arrested for violating the NCPO’s orders under the martial law. (TNA)