RAISING EXPECTATIONS: Gen Chavalit at Puea Thai Party headquarters.The former prime minister is now chairman of the Puea Thai Party, but what does that mean for the future stability of the country?
25/10/2009
Bangkok Post
Former premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh recently decided to join the opposition Puea Thai Party as its chairman amid criticism that his mission was to bring Thaksin Shinawatra home without the convicted former prime minister having to serve his jail term. But Gen Chavalit says his motivation is to save the country from being torn apart by political turmoil. The following are excerpts from a recent interview with Bangkok Post reporters at his aide's riverside residence in Nonthaburi.
Q: Can you tell us why you decided to re-enter politics and join the Puea Thai Party?
A: Well, the rift in society has been there for five to six years and it will remain as I don't see that what they [the government and the opposition] are doing will solve the problem. Everybody seems to focus on amending the charter, as if once the charter is amended it will become "God" to solve all the problems and conflicts. But for me, I don't pay attention to that. If the charter can help reconciliation, then why have we had so many charters since we changed the system in 1932?
People in society are losing patience. So, I fear that if the rift is not settled peacefully very soon, then there might be an uprising and change through violent force.
Q: In your view, what is the cause of the rift and are you confident you will be able to solve it?
A: The cause is that people believe some groups of people were treated unjustly, and they want such injustice to be eliminated. To tackle this problem, a specially designed government has to be formed because we are now in a critical condition, so, a government will have to be specially designed to enable it to solve the problem.
But before that, the first step must be forgiveness. What I want to see is all conflicting parties forgive each other. Those banned from politics would be pardoned to form a national government of all parties.
Q: Do you mean you want Thaksin pardoned?
A: What I said has nothing to do with the criminal offences, and only involves political punishment.
Q: Then do you mean if there is a general election soon, and if Puea Thai wins the most seats in the House, you would offer all parties the opportunity to form a coalition government?
A: Exactly, you get it.
Q: And you will become prime minister?
A:I don't mean that. I am now the super prime minister. Anybody can be the new prime minister but the national government must be formed first.
Some argue that a national government will become dictatorial and not be democratic. I would like to ask "Are we democratic now"?
Q: Do you think your idea will be accepted?
A: It is the only solution to solve the current conflict. I don't see how it will be solved any other way.
Q: And what is the best way to resolve the conflict between the red and yellow shirts?
A: I call it "spark the fire in the field" theory. It means you start settling the conflict between small groups, here and there, like you spark small fires scattered in a field. Eventually, the whole field will be alight.
Q: Did Thaksin have any pre-conditions on you joining the Puea Thai Party?
A:No. I didn't deal with Mr Thaksin. It was the public's call for me to join this party. People in many provinces asked me to re-enter politics and help solve the country's problem.
Q: Gen Prem [Tinsulanonda, the president of the Privy Council] instructed you to think carefully before you decided to join the Puea Thai Party otherwise it could end up as "an act of betrayal" against the country. Your decision [to join the Puea Thai Party] means that you had already thought carefully, didn't it?
A: I did not have to think because it's the people's call. I think he [Gen Prem] might have obtained some inaccurate information [about the Puea Thai Party].
Q: And what do you think about Gen Prem's instruction?
A: I'm not in a position to interpret what was in the mind of the phuyai.
Q: You quoted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as offering Thaksin the opportunity to stay in Cambodia despite the fact he is a fugitive from Thai justice. Do you think that in terms of diplomacy it was an improper course of action?
A: Cambodia is an independent country and has its own sovereignty. It can make its own decision on what to do or what not to do.
Q: Would you be happy if you were the government and the opposition did the same as you are doing?
A: If I were the prime minister, then everything would have been solved smoothly.
Q: Can you say whether incidents such as the bloodshed on Oct 7 would not be repeated if you are in government? [On Oct 7 last year, the government of Somchai Wongsawasdi, with Gen Chavalit as deputy prime minister, was blocked by yellow shirt demonstrators as it tried to enter parliament give its policy address. Police were ordered to clear the area which lead to the death of one young woman and injuries to scores of others, prompting accusations of brutality.]
A: It would not [be repeated] if it was a national government comprising all parties.
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