A REFORM panel on conflict solving and reconciliation has suggested the adoption of political measures similar to ones that granted amnesty to communist insurgents in the 1980s, in the latest attempt to achieve national unity.

In response to the government agenda on reconciliation, the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) subcommittee on conflict solving and reconciliation yesterday convened its first meeting to pave the way for possible solutions to long-standing political conflicts.

Their suggestions, which are expected to be completed in 60 days, are to be forwarded to the entire NRSA.

Members of the subcommittee, recently set up under the NRSA’s political reform committee, believed that fair treatment of all sides, the rule of law, compassion, social unity and the “66/2523 and 65/2525 policies” model would help to solve the contemporary decade-long political problems.

Chairman Sangsit Piriyarangsan yesterday said both policies, enacted respectively in 1980 and 1982 by the government of then-prime minister General Prem Tinsulanonda, were efficient in resolving tensions between the Communist Party of Thailand and authorities.

Order 66/2523 involved amnesty to defecting students, sympathisers and communist insurgents, but the panel’s vice chairman Nikorn Chamnong said yesterday that he was unsure such a solution would work now. Order 65/2525 stipulated political measures that reinforced the original order to further weaken the Communist Party.

“It should be noted that the conflicts [under Prem’s government] were between people and the state,” said Nikorn, who is also a key figure in the Chart Thai Pattana Party. “But the current, continuous problems are between people and people, which are more challenging.”

“It is also important to not view the junta as a party in the conflict. They are mere neutral facilitators,” he added.

The Prem-era policies, frequently raised in previous reconciliation attempts, were never addressed by any junta-established authority until yesterday.

The subcommittee, meanwhile, will also read through nine earlier studies on reconciliation, notably those led by the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, academic and ex-reformer Anek Laothamatas, former attorney-general Kanit Na Nakorn and former coup leader and politician General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Nikorn, who once worked for Sonthi’s research group, said the study contained points that could be adopted such as suggestions on how to proceed with graft-related cases committed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s government on the judicial process and an umbrella amnesty. “But the amnesty issue shouldn’t be prioritised otherwise it will obstruct the whole process,” he said.

Nikorn agreed with the junta, which has clearly opposed amnesty and pardons as compromising.

The subcommittee also submitted letters to the Pheu Thai Party, Democrat Party, the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation to seek recommendations. Replies are expected to reply within two weeks, Sangsit said.

However, no letter was be sent to Thaksin. “We don’t know where he is,” Nikorn said. “However, we expect to also research thoroughly on influencers behind Thai political protests.”

The subcommittee consists of the NRSA members from various political backgrounds, including Chitchai Wannasathit from Pheu Thai, red-shirt leader Sompong Sakawee, Democrat Party politician Kasit Piromya and whistle-blower Witthaya Kaewparadai.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday told media representatives about the need to help to build the public’s understanding about the junta’s approach to reconciliation as the effort would require cooperation from all social sectors.

More lenient orders issued in 1980s

ORDER 66/2523 is a directive issued by the Prime Minister’s Office in April 1980 by the government of Prem Tinsulanonda. It was a shift in policy from the hard-line military stance practised by previous rightist governments, shifting to a more moderate approach that focused on political measures. The order called for addressing social injustices and for the promotion of political participation and democratic processes. Amnesty laws issued in accordance with the order allowed defectors to leave the insurgent communist movement, which was partly credited for the subsequent fall of the Communist Party of Thailand.

Order 65/2525, issued in 1982 by Prem’s government, involved additional political measures aimed at further weakening the Communist Party of Thailand.