Lt-General Apirat Kongsompong said on Friday that his talks with Watana were held in a good atmosphere. The commander had talked personally with Watana for about two hours.

Watana, a trenchant critic of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), had been “invited” for the talks at the First Army Area headquarters on Monday after posting Facebook messages criticising the government’s invocation of Article 44 in dealing with the Phra Dhammakaya Temple stand-off.

“I think Watana is a very visionary man. He has approaches that could be used in the reconciliation plan that will bring about peace,” the commander said. “And after the talks, Watana told me that if he has any suggestion, he will propose it constructively.”

Apirat also quoted the politician as saying that he was glad to be invited for the private talks on Monday. The First Army Area chief said he respected Watana as he was an influential politician.

Last year, Watana was invited by the NCPO to attend “attitude adjustment” sessions for his outspoken criticisms of the junta-sponsored constitutional draft and national referendum.

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