Reconciliation talks set on Feb 14

BANGKOK, February 9 (TNA) - National reconciliation discussions among representatives from Thai political parties have been set start on Februay 14, 2017. Defence Ministry Spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantrawanit told journalsits on Thursday that the discussions, expected to be concluded within three months, will be held on 10 topics,including politics, law and justice process, corruption suppression, national reform and 20-year national strategies. Besides, peaceful solutions to future conflicts will be added during the talks. The spokesman said opinions from the discussions will be gathered to be included in a national reconciliation agreement. The spokesman stated that the government's Committee on National Reconciliation has set up four sub-committees to gather opinions on reconciliation from the discussions, to draft the reconciliation agreement and to publicize the draft to the public, after which public hearings will be organized across the country. "The process will take about three months and the draft will then be forwarded to the Committee for National Administration under the Framework of National Reform, Strategy and Reconciliation", the spokesman revealed. According to the spokesman, the incumbent Thai government sincerely wants to restore people-centered reconciliation through listening to opinions from all stakeholders with transparency and non-discrimination.(TNA)