Since then, the country has gone through tumultuous events. A Democrat Party-led government came and went. The Red March started in March 2010, culminating in the fighting and devastation of May 2010. We now have a Pheu Thai Party-led government headed by his sister, Khun Yingluck. An uneasy compromise remains in place between the government and the military. But a clear roadmap to genuine reconciliation remains elusive.
It appears we have come full circle. Well, not quite. One key difference is that Khun Thaksin is not prime minister but his party's popularity and his personal influence remain considerable. That is the political reality today.
As we (Bangkok Post and Post Today senior editors) sat down at the Fauchon Le Cafe in the Dubai Mall last Wednesday, former PM Thaksin welcomed us to the coffee and cake shop which he described as his "living room". He referred to the vast expanse of shops and restaurants of the luxurious mall as being his "back garden". He appeared in good spirits.
We declined his offer of breakfast. But he insisted we order something to go with the coffee. He ordered glazed chestnuts and macaroons _ red and yellow ones. "You must have one of each colour for the sake of reconciliation," he quipped, setting the tone for the discussions.
Quickly the discussion zeroed in the current process of drafting a new constitution _ a crucial issue which has many people concerned because of its many sensitive touch points which could lead to explosive repercussions. The former PM made it clear _ articles concerning the monarchy will be untouched. Strike out one key touch point.
His relations _ and that of the government _ with the military are good, he said. The military's only conditions are that the monarchy remain untouched and that Pheu Thai not bully the military. But what about the talk of changes in the Defence Ministry Administrative Act that would enable politicians to change the military's promotion line-up? No problem, he claims, although discussions need to take place.
Khun Thaksin said he could return without a charter rewrite to favour him. He declined to go into detail except to add that the changes must be fair and linked to two principles _ that the charter and all power is linked to the people and that there must be checks and balances for all bodies under the charter. This of course includes the independent agencies.
As a matter of principle, I could not agree more. But then again, the devil remains in the details. One change in the charter which should be made is the dissolution of any political party lock, stock and barrel, because of fraudulent action by individual candidates in an election. If an election candidate cheats or buys votes, the party should not be dissolved. This only results in gutting any chance of political parties developing and leaves the party _ and the country _ with second- or third-tier politicians to run the country with strings being pulled by those wield real power and clout. Government by proxy means decision-making by puppet masters without responsibility.
A five-year political ban for election fraud is not enough. Such candidates should be banned for life from running for any political office _ national, provincial, district, or even village level. They should also be banned from holding any advisory positions which would enable them to act as lobbyists or brokers on behalf of politicians who hold state positions.
I would even go as far as saying that these people should be denied the right to vote. One could argue that even with these measures such people could still wield political influence at the local level. But I would argue that a lifetime ban sends a stronger message and would at least make such people think twice before behaving fraudulently.
Checks and balances for independent agencies under the charter? As a matter of principle _ yes, of course. But then again, the devil remains in the details. We need independent agencies. And its members need to be truly independent who stand ready to serve Thai society. I agree that the laws should not be written in a manner that allow such agencies to dislodge political office holders or government or state officials for trivial activities, such as being involved in a television cooking show. But at the same time independent agencies must be able to dislodge politicians even though they are elected by the people. The same applies to state officials in cases of corruption and genuine abuse of power. The ground rules need to be clear and transparent.
These are just two points in the charter which require attention. But there is more to be concerned about _ whether the proposed changes are being made to pave the way for the return of the former prime minister.
Despite his assurances the proposed changes will not be made to pave the way for his return, former PM Thaksin says he thinks the political situation will improve. There will be those who will remain doubtful and sceptical. There will be those who support changes that would undo the past to legitimatise his return and they will continue to push. How then can we avoid a turbulent situation that could lead to violence or undemocratic changes?
Certainly every effort needs to be made to control emotions which, left unchecked, only lead to political tension. Indeed, for some it is easier said than done. But it is possible and I recall the words of former secretary-general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, who visited Bangkok recently to lend advice on Thai reconciliation.
Before he left, Mr Annan said: "All sectors of society need to take ownership of the [reconciliation] process. People in key positions should compromise. They need to compromise. They need to consider what the interest of the nation is. They should ask themselves: what should I do to help the nation?
"It is up to the political leadership to pacify the environment and find a way to bridge the gap and stabilise the environment. They have to set the tone; they have to be seen as one. Put the country first. The country is bigger than they are," Mr Annan added.
Although unspoken, I believe that Mr Annan's words were meant not only for Khun Thaksin, his red shirt supporters and Pheu Thai, but for the Democrats, the military and the establishment elite as well. We will know soon enough whether these words have fallen on deaf ears.
More @ http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/283037/macaroons-or-not-devil-still-in-the-details
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