Reconciliation talks start Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (TNA) -- Representatives of three political parties are scheduled to attend the first day of military-sponsored reconciliation talks on Valentine’s Day, the day of love, aimed at returning normalcy to Thailand, said a spokesman of the defence ministry. Spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich said representatives of New Aspiration Party and from two other smaller political parties would attend reconciliation talks to be held at the ministry on Tuesday. The talks will start from 9am until noon, he said. A major political party named Chart Pattana Party is scheduled to attend the talks on Wednesday while representatives of other parties will attend the talks later, said Lt Gen Kongcheep, adding that he is confident political parties and concerned groups would attend the talks in future so that peace could return to Thailand. The military-led reconciliation talks were aimed at mending the country's political divide ahead of elections next year. The talks would start this week and last three months. (TNA)