Thai Ex-PM Banharn Expresses Concern Over Political Problem

BANGKOK, December 30 (TNA) - Expressing concern over current political turmoil in Thailand, Banharn Silpa-archa, advisory chairman of Chart Thai Pattana Party, said Monday he wants to see the February 2 general election takes place and all conflicting factions hold dialogues in order to resolve lingering disputes. Mr. Banharn, a former prime minister, told his party members and close associates while they wished him a happy New Year at his residence that Thailand’s politics is suffering severe problem for the first time since 1974. Rival factions should hold dialogues which are acceptable to both sides in order to resolve political disputes otherwise the country could become backward. Therefore, he said, rival factions should turn to a negotiating table before the problem is worsened. Asked whether he believes the election could take place on February 2 as scheduled because registration candidates in several constituencies are still incomplete, Mr. Banharn said that registration duty is rested with the Election Commission (EC). If the EC changes registration venues and asks the government or the military for assistance, registration of constituent candidates process could be organisied, he said. Asked how he would advise caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to deal with the current situation, Mr Banharn said that there was no need for him to give his advice as Ms. Yingluck had her own advisory team. Touching on remarks by Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of People’s Democratic Reform Committee, urging anti-government protesters to march on Bangkok streets and “shut down” the capital after New Year’s celebrations, Mr. Banharn said that it might be tactics by Mr. Suthep during a speech to the protesters. Mr. Banharn insisted that political reform, demanded by the protesters, could be organised after the election and it could complete within a year. (TNA)