Reconciliation can only happen within principles of law: PM
NATIONAL reconciliation has to take into consideration the principles of law, otherwise Thailand will run into problems, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said in his weekly televised address yesterday evening.
“All rules need to be considered. If we only concern ourselves with reconciliation without principles then we will have problems with the law. Amnesty also needs to be based on law. Many of these affairs involve the laws of the country. If true reconciliation is to be achieved, I suggest the first thing would be to cut down on derogatory accusations and let everything be processed systematically.
“Do not make judgements or turn personal bias into reason. It could be someone you like personally, but if the person has done wrong, then they are guilty. This person should learn to improve themselves in the future. Certain developments are setting the benchmark for the country and for everybody who will come in and administer the state,” he said.
Prayut warned that problems would continue if people do not acknowledge their guilt or if the extent and intention of the offences remain unproven. “The law needs to be cited and judgement must be made based on principles of fairness and righteousness, as well as transparency and acceptability,” he said.
Prayut added that he would like to see a comprehensive perspective on political problems facing the Kingdom.
“We cannot fix just one issue because the problems are long-running and there are conflicts involving millions of people.
“We cannot just point and decide whether something is right or wrong. The judicial process must take its course, and everybody needs to accept it. It is the law of the country. Otherwise, the justice process will be thrown into disarray and this would affect the judicial affairs of the past, present and future.”
On reforms, Prayut said continuous progress is being made in addressing urgent matters such as people’s income, which is the first phase in the efforts.
“In order to realise our common goals, all parties should use reason and contribute. Lend the government a hand. Continued use of political means to create disturbances or conditions for further conflicts would hamper the timely realisation of these goals,” he said, adding that there are many more urgent problems to be addressed.
