Ban offers Thailand help to further reconciliation

Published: 27/10/2010

via CAAI 

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has offered to help Thailand's reconciliation efforts through broad-based dialogue following the April-May political riots.

 

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, left, joins Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at a news conference yesterday at Government House. Mr Ban’s one-day official visit to Thailand was part of a four-nation Asian tour which includes Cambodia, Vietnam and China. APICHART JINAKUL

Mr Ban told a news conference yesterday he discussed Thailand's political situation with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in talks lasting 45 minutes.

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He said he hoped the dialogue on national reconciliation would be conducted in good faith and be an inclusive and broad-based process.

"This is a Thai issue and the issue will be resolved by Thais," Mr Ban said.

"The [reconciliation] committees have shown openness in their work. They are even continuing their work with the international community and have sought international assistance in technical and specific matters."

The UN was ready to provide technical assistance to the commissions.

"We should learn from the incidents about what happened and I do hope that all issues will be addressed in a transparent and participatory manner."

Mr Ban's eight-hour-long visit attracted several political groups to the UN's regional headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue where he held talks with UN officials after meeting with Mr Abhisit at Government House.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) led by Veera Somkwamkid and Chaiwat Sinsuwong showed up to seek the UN's help in resolving the dispute with Cambodia over Preah Vihear temple.

Several political activist groups under the red shirt movement also appeared to try to attract the attention of Mr Ban to their political causes.

The 24th June Democracy, Red Chiangmai, Red Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi Democracy groups, plus the Thailand Mirror Foundation and Red Power magazine led by Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, criticised Mr Ban's meeting with Mr Abhisit during a brief rally by about 300 of their members.

The group described the Democrat-led coalition as the "government of the April-May atrocities" and called on the UN to oversee investigations into the 92 deaths arising from the incidents as there was no adequate independent and transparent scrutiny within the country.

Activists opposed to the Burmese junta, led by the Thai Free Burma and Burma Partnership groups, forwarded petitions calling for a greater UN role in ensuring the Nov 7 election in Burma is more inclusive.