reconciliation

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/39008/abhisit-stresses-harmony-wants-to-bridge-communication-divide
Abhisit stresses harmony, wants to bridge communication divide
Published: 19/06/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Q: It has been one month today since the mayhem in the city broke out on May 19, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talks about the mental scars left by the devastating riots in Bangkok.

Q: What will you do to show your emotional involvement with people affected by the riots?

I believe practically all Thais are emotionally involved with the incident. I am no different from them. But for now, I have to focus on how to bring the country back to normal. I know the protesters wanted to exert their right [to assembly] and we had to respect their right and at the same time some people wanted us to take decisive legal action against those who broke the law. This is a very subtle issue.

The clashes between the security forces and the protesters on April 10 broke out and took a toll on the feelings of Thais. I realised from that moment that more damage would have been done if the situation had been allowed to get out of hand.

We thought the best way was not to break up the protest. We chose to contain the protest site [at Ratchaprasong] and close in on the protesters and at the same time we were trying to seek a way out. Regrettably, the national reconciliation proposal was rejected. At dawn on May 19, security forces managed to break through the protesters’ barricades at Lumpini Park. There were losses, although they were fewer than anticipated. After the protesters dispersed, arson attacks broke out. I was in pain as we could not move in to help douse the fire as gunfire burst out in those areas.

But the incident at Wat Pathum Wanaram was the most regrettable one. I feel very sad about it.

During the demonstration, some people wanted to create unrest and inflict damage. Repairing physical damage is no problem, but it is not easy to heal the mind.

Also read the companion interview:Jatuporn says reconciliation process a sham; warns that UDD is biding its time

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Big questions linger over May 19 deaths
Q: During the two months of its operations, the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) and you had to absorb immense pressure from both the protesters and supporters of the government.

I was open to suggestions and criticisms. Strong reactions came from both camps. But eventually we had to stick with reason and put the country’s interests first. We had to ensure strict compliance with the law, the country’s systems had to proceed and losses had to be kept to a minimum.

Reconciliation means you have to bring back a society in which Thai people live together in harmony. But some people believe we are trying to chase and harm them. I insist we are not doing so. It is hard to make them understand. There is a gap in communication. Many choose to look at only one angle of the situation.

Q: What policy did you stress to those involved in the two months of security operations?

Security officers respected the rights of the protesters and tried to ensure there would be no losses. We were primarily concerned about loss of life.

Q: The protesters still harbour a deep hatred of the government and the government cannot reach out and come to an understanding with them because of a lack of a communication channel.

We need time. They lived together 24 hours throughout the two months of their rally and received information only circulating within the gathering site. Demonstrators at Ratchaprasong only heard that authorities had killed many people. But they may never have heard about the men in black or the armed militants. They never received information that could disprove their fixed ideas.

Q: What lessons can we learn from the tragedy to prevent a repeat of it in the future?

At the beginning, the protesters were peaceful, but at the same time there were attempts at sabotage and the situation came to a head on May 10. We could not stop the peaceful protesters at first, but things were different when they illegally occupied the [Ratchaprasong] area. I understand people who call for emergency rule to be lifted. But I want them to understand the complexity of the situation. There would be no problem if everyone obeyed the law.

They can hold peaceful protests but how can we prevent violent people who try to infiltrate the protesters?