Their critical perspective on amnesty – a quick route to overturn past conflicts – aligned with junta leader Prawit Wongsuwan, who said amnesty or absolution must follow due process.

The first reconciliation talks hosted by the Defence Ministry and led by its permanent secretary, General Chaichan Changmongkol, took place behind closed doors for four hours yesterday. Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich said the press was excluded because authorities wanted the whole process more complete before releasing any news, and insisted that the meeting did not conceal anything. A press conference would be held on Wednesday and Friday after the talks, he said.

In order to gather various opinions, political parties and factions are being invited by an alphabetical order to share their views on 10 previously established reconciliation-related topics. The first parties to join the talks yesterday were New Aspiration Party, the Commoner Party, and the Farmers Network Parties.

Chingchai Mongkoltham, the leader of the New Aspiration Party, said after the meeting that reconciliation meant a return to democracy as soon as possible and national harmony must be based upon a democratic, not authoritarian rule. Chingchai said granting amnesty was not a solution.

Thanaporn Sriyakul, leader of the Commoners Party, said that reconciliation involved not only politicians or political clique leaders but also all people affected by the conflict. He suggested that the junta should first lift its ban on political gathering of more than four people.

Also, he said that the process should be more inclusive. Instead of being invitation-only, the process should be opened to allow anyone to participate. The Chart Pattana Party was next on the list of all the 70 political parties invited and will join the talks today at the Defence Ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit, a key participant in the reconciliation mission, said that invitations had been sent to all 70 parties registered with the Election Commission. According to him, none had rejected the invitation. The major parties, the Democrat and Pheu Thai, however, had still not replied and Prawit said he was not certain whether they would join.

As the process took off on Valentine’s Day, Prawit said he hoped reconciliation or love in the nation could be achieved with collaboration from everyone.

Meanwhile, a public symposium held by King Prajadhipok’s Institute yesterday discussed the current reconciliation effort headed by the National Council for Peace and Order and emphasised that justice is a key to conflict resolution.

Nipit Intrasombat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said that three things were necessary for reconciliation: mutual understanding about democracy, non-discriminatory justice, and the limitation of the exploitation of the so-called voice of majority.

Regarding amnesty, Nipit said that it also needed clarity. He said in the past, reconciliation had failed because everyone was self-centred. In order to reverse that, everyone should be willing to sacrifice. Also, he said, everyone should have the courage to address any issues sincerely and directly and stop sweeping dirt under the rug.

Sombat Boonngamanong, a pro-democracy activist, said that he agreed the country needed reconciliation. However, it was equally important to look at the road to reconciliation, Sombat said. It should not be aimed at enabling particular individuals to benefit from it, he said.