Cabinet, parliament seek solutions to Thai issues
Updated
Thailand's parliament will convene a joint session next week to find a solution to the political stalemate that has put Bangkok under a state of emergency for a fifth day.
The cabinet meets today to see if further measures are needed to boost the economy after the week's political turmoil.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Buranaj Smutharaks, spokesman for Thailand's ruling Democrats Party
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SMUTHARAKS: Well, as you already know this past week has been mired in riots and rampages throughout the city and I think just yesterday warrants were issued of four leaders who were directly responsible for instigating unrest and violence in Bangkok.
For locals who have taken part in such activities and to be required by law, they will be dealt with accordingly. At the same time, the root of conflict in Thailand is a political cause, therefore also requires political solutions. And the Prime Minister is resolute to begin an inclusive process towards reform in which hopefully next week joint session of parliament will address.
LAM: So will you be seeking, actively seeking, some input from the Red Shirt faction?
SMUTHARAKS: Yes. They also include people involved in the opposition party, and will be seeking talks with them.
SEN LAM: And the government, I understand, has no intention of releasing those Red Shirt leaders who were detained earlier this week. What about the Yellow Shirts? Your supporters closed down the two main airports for a week last November, causing untold economic damage. Now some quarters are saying that the organisers of that Yellow Shirt movement should be brought to justice, as well.
BURANAJ SMUTHARAKS: Well, the Yellow Shirt leaders are all awaiting trial. They have been prosecuted and they have been treated equally as anybody else, including former prime minister Thaksin, who I may point out chose not to undergo the due process of law, but chose to escape trial and is now still in hiding.
SEN LAM: And Khun Buranaj, what do you say to your detractors who say that the current government is illegitimate because, after all, you did come into office following the occupation of the two main airports and those huge demonstrations by the Yellow Shirt movement?
BURANAJ SMUTHARAKS: Firstly, the Yellow Shirt movement's activities actually took place during the former government, and will be entering the due process of law within this government's tenure. And I think insofar as anybody who violates the law is concerned, this government will deal with them equally, no matter what colour shirt they wear.
SEN LAM: And Mr Buranaj, do you see a role for the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, in seeking a solution to the current stalemate?
BURANAJ SMUTHARAKS: Former prime minister Thaksin has always tried to mislead the public and the international community into thinking that his crimes were of a political nature and that he is in a political context. But the truth is that in the context of corruption charges - and there are at least 8 or 9 other cases taken out against him both in the court in the due process. And I think what former prime minister Thaksin can best do at this point is to stop instigating violence in the country and return to Thailand and to enter into a fair trial.
SEN LAM: What do you make of this move by Thaksin Shinawatra to ask the king, King Bhumibol to intervene?
BURANAJ SMUTHARAKS: He's done that in his last three interviews after the leaders had already decided to terminate the demonstrations. His intentions were in fact to mitigate the crisis. And let me point out, during his previous live video links to the demonstrations at the time, when the riots were in full swing, never once did he try to dissuade the leaders from continuing with the widespread rampage of the city.
