Unity panel membership takes shape - Bangkok Post

Unity panel membership takes shape

The make-up of the proposed reconciliation committee was finalised yesterday at a meeting chaired by parliament president Chuan Leekpai.

The panel is to include 21 members selected from seven groups, including representatives of the protest movement.

Also present were Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, chief government whip and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP Wirat Ratana­sate, chief opposition whip and Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang.

The proposed panel will comprise two representatives each from the government, government MPs, opposition MPs, senators, the protest group, as well as other concerned groups.

The panel will also have nine highly-regarded academics and experts -- three from the Council of University Presidents of Thailand, one from the Council of Presidents of Rajabhat Universities, one from the Council of Presidents of Rajamangala Universities of Technology, and four experts with experience in previous reconciliation efforts.

House Deputy Secretary-General Kunnawut Tantrakul will serve as the panel's secretary.

Mr Sutin said that he was not sure if the proposed panel will by supported by all stakeholders, but suggested that now its structure is set, the opposition camp, as well as the protest group, should reconsider joining it after previously declining the invitation, Mr Sutin said.

Anti-government protesters under the People's Movement have called the plan a ruse to keep the prime minister in power.

Mr Sutin said that the panel's immediate priority is to find ways to defuse the tension, but it will also work on long-term solutions to the political conflict.

Meanwhile, Patcharin Khamsiri­pong, spokeswoman of the PPRP, said that the party is ready to support efforts to foster reconciliation, and agrees with the parliament president's approach to ending the conflict.

She also said that MPs and senators will attend a joint meeting on Dec 1 to deliberate a national referendum bill.