Minister checks Phuket airport's readiness to receive foreigners under STV scheme
Phuket International Airport is ready to welcome foreigners arriving with the Special Tourist Visa (STV).
Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob went to the airport on Saturday to follow up on preparations to receive tourists and businessmen issued the STV. He also supervised the screening checkpoint and the examination process in Phuket Airport.
Saksayam had told
Airports of Thailand (AOT) and relevant agencies to assess the readiness and potential enhancement plans of Phuket International Airport and five other airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport, and Hat Yai, to accommodate STV visa holders, according to government policy.
At Phuket Airport, all systems are ready, especially the sample collection and Covid-19 testing.
When the first group of tourists arrives and the screening system works well, it is expected to lead to an increase in the rate of easing virus control measures. Phuket province and related agencies are required to make adequate arrangements in case of an increase of tourists, including the management of the airport premises, quarantine areas, tools and equipment.
The Phuket provincial office, the Harbour Department and the relevant departments have requested the government to consider ways to promote water tourism like yachting and cruise ships in Phuket to stimulate the local economy.
Thailand's borders remain closed to general foreign tourism due to concerns around the potential spread of Covid-19, which, officially speaking, appears to not be widely locally spread with only a small number of cases over the past seven months. One recent case was from a lady who recently returned from France and tested positive several days after being released from a fourteen day quarantine. So far, all her contacts both high and low risk have tested negative.
The plan for the two day visit was announced by the Office of the Prime Minister earlier today, Sunday November 1st.
Highlights of the visit include:
-A visit to Phuket and Samui International airports to inspect Covid-19 prevention measures in advance of any plan to welcome back more tourists. Currently, Phuket airport has the capacity according to them to process 578 passengers a day in terms of Covid-19 testing and quarantine related processes.
-Meet with local tourism business leaders from Koh Samui and then Phuket as well as prominent members of the community to discuss how to safely allow in tourists under the countries new Special Tourist Visa program, which so far appears to mainly be for those from China.
-Mobile Cabinet meeting on Tuesday
-A meeting with leaders and and officials representing other popular Southern provinces and islands such as Krabi, Trang and Phang Nga.
-A tour (exact details not released) of impacted areas in the business sector.
The purpose of the visit, according to the Thai government, is to provide support and listen to the thoughts of local business leaders, officials and prominent local residents around ways to bring back tourism, both domestic and foreign. Additionally, it is to show the public that Koh Samui is safe after the previously mentioned case of Covid-19 and to reassure the public there is no risk after reportedly some domestic tourists canceled plans over the past weekends to visit the province.
Police on Sunday officially rearrested two core protest leaders who had been recuperating at a Bangkok hospital over their roles in recent street protests.
Officers from Rayong showed up at Praram 9 Hospital to file a charge against Panupong "Mike" Jadnok over his protest against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during the premier's visit to the province in August ahead of the mobile cabinet meeting there.
Similar scenes occurred when Ubon Ratchathani police also showed up to detain Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak over his role in an Aug 22 demonstration in the northeastern province. He faces sedition charges under Section 116 of the Criminal Code which he refused to acknowledge.
On Saturday night, city police had filed charges against Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul over her involvement on June 5 and June 22 in protests at the Pathumwan Skywalk in Bangkok.
Ms Panusaya was placed under a 24-hour watch and police will reportedly seek a Pathumwan District Court order today to put her back behind bars for the time being.
The trio are being treated at Praram 9 Hospital following their release on bail and immediate rearrest on fresh charges on Friday night. An ensuing scuffle led to all three being taken to the hospital where doctors said they would need a couple of days to recover.
Kritsadang Nutcharat, the lawyer representing the three, said the arrest warrant against Mr Parit was not valid because he already previously turned himself in to police at the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters.
It was reported that police will today ask the court to approve detention of Mr Panupong and Mr Parit in their absence.
Mr Parit and Ms Panusaya were taken to Praram 9 Hospital at 4.45am on Saturday after being questioned by Ayutthaya police at Pracha Chuen station in Bangkok. Mr Panupong, who had been released at the same time, was brought to the hospital earlier after fainting while in custody.
Although the three were technically released on Friday night, a prisoner transport vehicle from the Pracha Chuen station was already waiting outside to rearrest them in connection with other cases.
Pol Col Itthichet Wonghomhuan, the Prachachuen superintendent, said his officers had the authority to rearrest the protest leaders on Friday and none had been treated roughly in the process.
He said the trio were not handcuffed or restrained because they were not detained as suspects, but were instead being legally held while police in other regions secured the authority necessary to detain them on separate charges.
Mr Parit, Mr Panupong and Ms Panusaya face charges being handled by police in Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Ubon Ratchathani, he added.
Pol Col Itthichet said police were also gathering evidence against a group of protesters who damaged the vehicle transporting Mr Parit and Mr Panupong to the station. They face charges of damaging property and assaulting state officials.
King declares 'love' for all, calls Thailand 'land of compromise'
Their Majesties the King and the Queen are greeted by a yellow-shirt crowd outside the Grand Palace who turned out to show their respect and love for the monarchy on Sunday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
His Majesty the King called Thailand the "land of compromise" in unprecedented comments on Sunday, during which the once-unapproachable monarch declared "love" for all Thais after months of protests calling for reform to the monarchy.
On Sunday, royal devotion was on display as thousands wearing yellow shirts -- the royal colour -- waited near the Grand Palace clutching portraits of Their Majesties the King and the Queen.
Zigzagging through the crowd to greet supporters, the monarch was stopped by a reporter with Britain's Channel 4 who asked him about protesters calling for reform.
"We love them all the same," he told the reporter repeatedly according to a clip posted on Channel 4's official Twitter account.
When asked if there is room for compromise, he said: "Thailand is the land of compromise."
As His Majesty moved through the crowd, royalists chanted, "We will live loyally, die faithfully" and "Long live the King!"
His Majesty has been in Thailand in recent weeks to mark a Buddhist holiday and the anniversary of HM King Bhumibol's passing.
The visit has coincided with non-stop demonstrations from mostly young activists, who have staged guerilla rallies drawing thousands to Bangkok's most traffic-clogged intersections as a show of defiance.
While the movement is leaderless, they are united in their demand for the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Controversial demands
Calls for reform of the monarchy have drawn a backlash from Thailand's conservative bloc, rousing royalist groups to stage their own rallies.
"We came here to show our loyalty to the king," said Bin Bunleurit, a former actor who decried the students' demands.
Controversially, the students have also called for a clear accounting of the palace's finances -- which the extremely wealthy king took control of in 2018 -- and for the monarch to "stay out" of politics.
"It is not reform, it is about overthrowing the monarchy," Mr Bin insisted to reporters outside the palace.
The growing show of force from royalists -- as well as their increasingly harsh rhetoric online against the pro-democracy bloc -- has observers worrying about violence spilling onto the streets.
So far, the anti-government protests have remained peaceful.
But scores of students and activists have been arrested and charged -- some with the serious crime of sedition.
Over the weekend three high-profile student leaders were released on bail, only to be swiftly accosted as authorities attempted to re-arrest them on another charge.
A scuffle with plainclothes police landed them in hospital.
On Sunday night one of the trio, Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, pledged in a Facebook post that they would keep pushing for their goals.
"If the people do not step back, we will not step back," he wrote.
His Majesty the King is greeted by a yellow-shirt crowd outside the Grand Palace who turned out to show their respect and love for the monarchy. His Majesty on Sunday changed the Emerald Buddha's winter season attire at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Thousands of people dressed in yellow flocked to Sanam Luang and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on Sunday to demonstrate their loyalty to His Majesty the King, while a group of anti-government protesters converged near the Bang Na area.
Royalists occupied the pavements and the area inside the temple for hours, waiting for the motorcade of His Majesty as the King as he visited the temple to change the attire of the Buddha statue from rainy season to winter season garb.
Actor and volunteer rescue worker Bin Banluerit said the gathering was held with no political agenda. They merely wanted to show the King and Her Majesty the Queen their loyalty. He was among several famous figures urging people to come out to show their respect for the monarchy amid calls for its reform from some anti-government leaders.
Bin was allowed to prostrate at the King's feet when the King came out to meet royalists outside Wat Phra Kaeo after he finished changing the Emerald Buddha image's attire. "It is my first time to touch and prostrate at the King's feet. He has relieved my tiredness. I am feeling overwhelmed to meet [him] and see his face.
"The King also thanked me for helping the people. I consider this the highest merit of my life. I will come out to beg an audience with the King again on Dec 5,'' Bin said.
Also on Sunday, the pro-monarchy Thai Pakdee (Loyal Thai) group outlined reasons why it is against attempts to rewrite the constitution, saying rewriting the entire charter without a sound reason will do more harm than good. Led by former Democrat MP Warong Dechgitvigrom, the group said the draft of the current charter was supported by the majority voice of 16.8 million people at a referendum, so it should be respected by politicians.
If the constitution is rewritten, 10 new organic laws will also be needed along with the new constitution, which opens the way for politicians to manipulate the drafting of all 11 laws to serve their own interests, said the group. More importantly, certain parties are attempting to exploit the opportunity of a charter rewrite to pave the way for overthrowing the monarchy with the help of mounting pressure being created by anti-government protesters, said the group.
A key strength of the constitution is improvements in legal mechanisms for fighting corruption, which certain politicians may dislike, said the group. The constitution also helps prevent the 40-billion-baht state budget from being spent uselessly each year by MPs, by imposing stricter scrutiny on budget spending, according to the group. "The constitution had not caused any problems to anyone, despite what critics said. In fact, it helps protect the public interest," said the group.
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters which called themselves "All People End Game" gathered near the Udom Suk BTS station in Bang Na district to continue their demonstrations against the government. First, they called for the discarded 1997 constitution to be reinstated, as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and a charter rewrite.
Free Youth, a key element in the anti-government movement, posted on its Facebook a plea for its supporters to keep hope alive as the protest looks set to continue for some time. The group also urged supporters to comment as to what other forms of anti-government protest should be adopted.
Globally, more than a hundred million travel and hospitality jobs will be lost in 2020 due to Covid-19. Here in Phuket, where I moved in 1988 as the opening general manager at Amanpuri, we have seen as many as 60,000 job losses in the hotel sector alone, which accounts for 86,000 registered rooms, and at this moment there is no light at the end of the tunnel, nor any date for Phuket-bound International flights on the horizon.
More than four months have passed with no local infections on Phuket. Yet passenger arrivals have plunged and there are no imminent signs of recovery, despite the country opening up to domestic air travel and guests from Bangkok becoming our "weekend warriors".
Thailand deserves high praise for its decisive actions in late March that successfully managed the spread of Covid-19 yet in closing the kingdom to all non-resident foreigners, Phuket island now finds itself at an inflexion point as local demand cannot stem the dramatic losses on Phuket, nor reverse the rapidly escalating financial and social crisis, especially in the tourist town like Patong, Kata and Karon, etc.
From the very earliest days at Amanresorts, founder Adrian Zecha schooled us to make guests feel as relaxed as if they were staying in the home of a friend, which built an experience that wasn't purely transactional, and I feel we took this even further at Trisara.
Over 30 years dealing with guests on Phuket, it's clear that our is a business built on meaningful human connections, and as travellers start to move again in 2021 we have a unique opportunity to reconsider a few cookie cutter policies that annoy guests.
Its time to get our staff back to work, for restaurants and tourist business to reopen so that Phuket can breathe again.
As President of the Phuket Hotels Association, our 78 members to prepare for the inevitable return of international arrivals. After several aborted plans, the Thai government is considering 'green bridges' or "bubbles" that may allow entry to foreigners from countries or regions with little or no Covid-19 infections, hopefully from countries such as New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, China and Australia.
However, It's going to be a very slow climb back to any reasonable numbers – thus a buyer's market for years and those hotels that create even more special experiences, and soften some of the policies born in the 1990's when it was a seller's market, will emerge with greater guest experiences and social media will spread these in a positive way.
With this in mind, I propose we offer a new "Guest Bill of Rights".
• Frontline staff needs to be empowered to make more decisions, such as giving guests reasonable refunds or credit when they complain about an actual mistake. We all know felt the irritation as the last impression at check-out, with your flight take-off time looming, as the reception staff disappears to ask an invisible manager about removing an erroneous charge for that Toblerone you didn't eat.
• Overcharging for cookie-cutter minibars is over. We can and should customise the minibar with healthy (and not so healthy, this is a holiday after all) options including authentic, hygienic and plastic-free packaged local treats. Guests would buy more too, as mini bars are mostly poor investments. My favourite is the totally free local mini bar at The Greenwich, Robert De Niro's hotel in New York.
• No more 'nickel and diming' on the hotel bill. We owe it to our guests to stop profiting off necessary conveniences like bottled water with breakfast, Internet and hotel laundry.
• Goodbye to 50% or even 100% room charges for late check-outs. Let's be better at allocating rooms. There should always be a private space for guests who arrive before 2 pm and if hotels are not 100% full, guests should be able to leave after midday without being whacked with a half-day charge.
• Breakfast should be included, full stop, and let breakfast finish late. Since there is nothing more luxurious than a long, relaxed breakfast on a holiday, guests should not have to rush down to their first meal of the day simply because the chef wants to start prepping for lunch at 10 am.
• We can and must protect our fragile Island, the planet at the same time. Drinking water should be in glass bottles, plentiful and complimentary. There must be a unilateral end to plastic shampoo bottles and laundered garments shrouded in cling plastic have to go. In Phuket, we challenged our member hotels to remove plastic water bottles in 2018, which resulted in a reduction of six million plastic bottles from our landfills.
Our industry's humble beginnings offer valuable lessons for any hotel's future success. What was not optional for a medieval innkeeper should guide the 21st-century hotelier: buy local, being support for our local communities, engagement with and protection of the local environment.
Are you checking in?
About the author – Anthony C.J. Lark
• Founding and existing President of The Phuket Hotels Association, focusing on Sustainability, education of Thai students in hospitality schools and destination marketing for the 78 member hotels.
• 32 years in development and management of S.E. Asia's finest resorts and hotels, including openings of Amanpuri – Phuket,Amandari – Bali,The Strand – Myanmar, Trisara – Phuket, including Phuket's first and only Michelin Star restaurant at Trisara.
• Multi-year recipient of "World's Best General Manager" – Gallivanters Guide, and many World's Best resort accolades in Conde Naste Traveler, Robb Report and Travel and Leisure, for Amanpuri and Trisara.
Anthony now owns and runs his own luxury hospitality company focused on Resort and Residential Villas design and master plan concepts, management auditing of existing properties, supported by world-class associates from many fields.
Parliamentary debate on political crisis "futile attempt": Suan Dusit Poll
A majority of people see the debate without voting in a special parliamentary session on Oct 26-27 to find a way out of the political crisis as a futile attempt, saying the Thai politics will remain unchanged and conflicts will continue to exist, according to an opinion survey by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted online on Oct 28-30 on 1,035 people throughout the country who followed up the parliamentary debate.
Asked to give their views on the debate, with the respondents allowed to give more than one answers, the responses varied - with 41.94% saying it was only the government's ploy to buy time which was unlikely to lead to any change; 39.00% said the prime minister would not resign; 32.32% said it was a political game; 31.93% thought it was an attempt to find a way out; and, 28.49% were of the opinion that MPs and senators should join hands to find a concrete solution to the problem.
On "positive" results of the debate, 57.20% said parties concerned had shown their attitudes more clearly; 43.93% all concerned were given a chance to voice their opinions; and, 36.52% said the government had shown its stance in the conflict.
On "negative" results of the debate, 54.40% said the conflict would remain unchanged; 34.78% believed the conflict would escalate; and, 10.82% said the conflict would continue in a less degree.
Asked what they thought the Thai politics would be after the debate, 51.69% believed it would remain the same; 35.36% thought it would be worse; and, only 12.95% believed it would improve.
Asso Prof Rungpop Khongritchan, of the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University's school of law and politics, said the debate produced no concrete results, indicating that the Thai parliamentary system could not be relied on at the time of political crisis.
Calls to give foreigners who buy a condo residency in Thailand
The head of the Thai condominium association told the Thai financial media that she has recommended to the government to give foreigners migrant status if they purchase a condo of 10 million baht or more.
Thansettakij said that meetings have taken place with developers since October 24th after requests were made to give foreigners five year visas for condo purchases of 5 million baht.
The foreign ministry has also been pressed to make residence in the kingdom easier to get like other countries, especially neighboring states. Malaysia is often mentioned in this regard, notes Thaivisa.
The media said somewhat cryptically in their headlines that foreign investors would be getting a new year present.
Though they conceded that the current entry requirements remained a hurdle.
The developers are adamant that selling to foreigners - especially the willing Chinese - is the way to clear the glut of condos in the market.
Ms Apha Attaboonwong said that after the start of the long stay STV visa there was now light at the end of the tunnel.
But she advocated foreigners be given migrant status if they invest 10 million baht.
The media also reported that people like retirees, teachers and professionals could be given long term status for investing 3 million baht though exactly what they meant by this was unclear.
Thaivisa notes that something seems to be brewing to stimulate the flagging property market and increasing stories in the media indicate that more concrete announcements could be imminent.
But for now it is a question of "watch this space".
The battle to reopen Thailand's borders is shaping up as a 3-way PR fight between economic hawks who are eager to re-open to reboot the country's tourism industry, a government and medical officials resting on their laurels after containing the virus, and a risk-averse population who, survey after survey, indicate they are keen to keep the borders closed.
In another effort to assuage Thai fears, a doctor at the infectious disease department has stated that any foreigner found to be infected with Covid-19, while in alternative state quarantine, would be taken to a partner hospital in the private sector, not a Thai public hospital.
Dr Opas Karnkawinpong has made it clear that foreigners would have to pay for their treatment and medication themselves.
"They won't be a burden on the Thai health system."
Dr Opas laid out the strict measures that foreigners would have to submit to before travelling to Thailand. Apart from the effort and cost of finding a flight at this time, gaining permission from their country's Thai Embassy, they would have to get fit-to-fly and entry certificates, Covid-free documentation, health insurance and upfront payments for their 14 day Alternative State Quarantine.
"If infected they would go to a special isolation unit at the hospital partnered with the quarantine hotel. Non serious cases would be there for 10 days, those with serious conditions like lung infections may have to stay for a month."
• Those with no symptoms but who tested positive would have to stay in hospital for ten days after their positive test.
• Others would have to be hospitalized for ten days after developing symptoms then a further 24 hour period after symptoms fully abate.
• In more severe cases the length of hospitalization would be at the discretion of doctors. People may only be let out after xrays, temperature and breathing rate checks satisfied medical teams.
A list of several measures were also mentioned for people after they go home from hospital. These include recommendations to wear masks, socially distance, wash hands and surfaces, use separate eating utensils to others. If they get sick again they must take private transport to a hospital. Family members are being advised to monitor their own health closely.
Academics, politicians divided over path to unity
Anti-government protesters hold a rally outside the Mall Bang Kapi department store on Tuesday. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)
The political climate has become unseasonably turbulent following the youth-led street protests calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation, a rewrite of the constitution and reform of the monarchy.
Parliament failed to find a solution to the conflict during a two-day extraordinary session and instead proposed that a panel be set up to forge national reconciliation.
Gen Prayut remains adamant he will not step down and the protesters plan to keep rallying to pressure the government. With the country at an impasse, the Bangkok Post asked a number of key politicians and academics how the conflict can be resolved, or at least eased.
HOUSE DISSOLUTION A NO-GO
Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP, argued that dissolving the House would only postpone the conflict, not resolve it.
He said the protesters' demand for reform of the royal institution is unlikely to be answered and because a snap election would be held under the 2017 charter, the protesters may take to the streets again if the next government also fails to implement their proposals.
"House dissolution won't bring an end to it and could lead to more problems. Work such as budget planning and spending of funds to alleviate hardship induced by the Covid-19 pandemic will be disrupted."
Mr Chaiwut added that dissolving the House would only be a justifiable option when the amendments to the charter are complete and the new election rules are in place.
This is a view shared by Pheu Thai MP and chief opposition whip Sutin Klungsang who insisted that going to the polls under the current system before the charter has been rewritten would be a pointless exercise.
"Charter amendment first, House dissolution later," said Mr Sutin.
Democrat MP for Trang Sathit Wongnongtoey warned that dissolving the House will bring the amendment process to a halt. Six amendment bills sponsored by parties and a version proposed by civil group iLaw would have to be suspended until a new parliament is elected.
"We don't know how long it will take for a new administration to get up and running. We don't know how the charter rewrite process will turn out. We don't know if the street protests will end, because their demands aren't limited to charter amendment. If the House is dissolved, we're heading into the unknown. So it's not a way out," he said.
SHOULD PM RESIGN?
Mr Sutin said Gen Prayut's resignation would deescalate political tension by 80%-90% and installing a successor would pose no problem because Section 272 of the charter allows an outsider to be nominated as the premier.
"The charter has provided a way out. It is not deadlock. Mr Chuan [Leekpai] [parliament president] is a potential candidate. There are others too. It's not hard to find a new one if he [Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha] resigns," Mr Sutin said.
With no one backing down, the Pheu Thai MP said the street protest is likely to intensify and if things get out of hand, there is a possibility the military may stage a coup. And given the current tension, military interference may face strong resistance too, he said.
Korkaew Pikulthong, leader of the red-shirt movement, said that not only should the prime minister resign, those with close affiliations to him such as Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda should also step aside.
The conflict will be eased further if a new prime minister sets a clear timeline for the charter rewrite process, he said, while dismissing the proposed reconciliation committee as a way to buy time.
"He must step down. How can he have let the situation come to this? He has to take responsibility," he said.
OPPOSING OPINIONS
Mr Sathit said Gen Prayut's resignation will temporarily ease the political situation. However, the selection of a replacement will proceed under the same constitution, which could reignite the protesters' ire.
Mr Chaiwut, on the other hand, does not believe Gen Prayut's resignation would bring the conflict to an end and may even upset the premier's supporters and lead to more confrontations.
And even if Gen Prayut caves in and steps down, forming a new government will be chaotic and undermined by personal and political interests. There is also no guarantee the protesters will stop because their third demand for reform of the monarchy has yet to be answered, he said.
"The dynamics between the protesters and the government will be like this until the charter rewrite is completed. I think it is the best way out of this.
"Let parliament bear the cross of amending the charter to make way for the setting up of a Constitution Drafting Assembly," he said.
Asked about a possible coup to end the conflict, he said military seizures of power can happen when the conditions are right. It is naive to dismiss a coup as a solution, he said, pointing out that it could provide a way to charter amendment in the case of prolonged deadlock.
DEMANDS SHOULD BE REVIEWED
Mr Sathit, a key figure in the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), whose months-long street protests against the Pheu Thai Party-led administration culminated in the May 2014 coup, said the protesters should redefine their demands to political ones.
He said the charter amendment is an issue that most people agree with and can be given a clear timeline.
The Democrat MP said he believes the protesters will entertain a dialogue now that Gen Prayut has apparently taken a step back by lifting the state of emergency and backing constitutional reform.
However, he conceded the protesters do not have leaders with sufficient experience to negotiate an outcome that takes all of society into consideration.
According to Mr Sathit, the controversial protest activities outside the German embassy and on Silom Road do not bode well for their movement.
In addition, any discussion concerning the monarchy might need to be carefully handled by a reconciliation panel.
"If the protesters agree to talks, it is a good sign. But if they don't and instead push ahead with their demands, it is hard to predict how it will end," he said.
DIALOGUE THE ONLY ANSWER
Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said neither dissolution of the House nor the resignation of the prime minister can resolve the conflict as long as the rules remain the same.
He warned that things could get worse and the prolonged street protests could take their toll on the Covid-19-battered economy.
"The prime minister doesn't need to resign or dissolve the House.
"But we need a forum for all sides to talk and it should be organised by the civil sector.
"This dialogue will pave way for the charter amendment, although, of course, not all charter amendment demands will be met," he said.
Jade Donavanik, a former constitution-drafting assembly adviser, said the demand for reform of the monarchy is a hugely divisive issue and addressing it poses a great challenge than amending the charter.
However, Stitorn Thananithichote, acting director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok's Institute, said amending the charter should remain the focus.
"The reconciliation panel should be set up to help address issues relating to the charter rewrite process, specifically bringing both sides to the table for more than one round of talks.
"Both sides will have even to design how the talk will be held too," he said.
