The committee, known in Thai as “Por Yor Por”, would consider the bill along with proposals from other concerned parties as part of its renewed effort towards reconciliation, he said.

Peerasak said this followed a new instruction from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who told the “Five Rivers” – the prime bodies set up after the coup to administer the country, including the NLA – to work together simultaneously on issues of concern through the Por Yor Por committee.

But he declined to confirm whether the draft would be submitted tomorrow when the reconciliation committee under the Por Yor Por convenes for the second |time.

The bill has been months in the making under the NLA’s political committee, being based on a previous study by the now-defunct National Reform Council reconciliation-study committee chaired by noted peace advocate Anek Laothammatas.

He, along with other noted social critics including Prawet Wasi, have been invited to sit on the reconciliation preparation committee as advisers.

Criteria for different offences

The bill has never been revealed to the public until now, but The Nation has seen the draft.

It appears that it intends to create new criteria for differentiating and categorising politically motivated criminal offences and related legal measures for people involved in demonstrations and unrest since 2005.

It would also address criteria for the rehabilitation of damaged parties.

However, the bill clearly excludes an amnesty for violations of the Criminal Code’s Article 84, corruption, lese majeste and human rights.

“It is expected that this law will be the beginning of reconciliation and the move towards peace and unity,” the bill reads. Made up of nine pages, it is divided into three main chapters plus a provisional chapter.

A new committee would be set up to supervise the criteria and related legal measures. The draft says it would be made up of 11 members drawn from independent organisations, judges, prosecutors, plus legal and human rights experts.

Peerasak also said the reconciliation meeting tomorrow would be an entry point, under which political parties would be invited to share views on 11 critical issues challenging the country.

The Royal Thai Police announced yesterday that Jumpol – and Pol Maj-General Pongdej Prommijitr and Chayanit Pisitwanit – had been charged by a forestry official from the Wang Nam Khiao district police. They face charges after local police, the Crime Suppression Division, a local Army infantry battalion, environmental crime police and forestry officials raided a plot of land in the district last Monday.

According to a statement from the Royal Thai Police, the raid found that there were six houses built on the plot under the care of a 47-year-old woman, Tim Uthat.

Tim later told authorities she had been working as a maid on the land since 2005. She said the houses had been built by Jumpol, who came to stay there occasionally. The authorities learned that the other two people charged, a couple, had sold the plot of land to Jumpol.

Authorities measured the plot using a GPS device and found that it had an area of 13 rai (two hectares) located inside Thap Lan National Park.

As a result, forest official Pad Buaban filed a complaint with Wang Nam Khiao police against Jumpol and the other two.

They were accused of occupying forestland and clearing forest without permission, violating articles 54 and 55 of the National Forest Act.

They were also accused of occupying and clearing forest, damaging of the environment – violating articles 16 (1) and (4) of the National Park Act.

Further charges were filed over alleged violations of the Environment Promotion and Protection Act by causing damage to natural resources and state property.

Finally, they were accused of violating Article 14 of the National Forest Reserve Act by damaging and degrading forests.

The Royal Thai Police has announced that the Wang Nam Khiao police will speed up inquiries into the alleged encroachment.

The statement said Cabinet issued a resolution in 1972 to designate Wang Nam Khieo forest as a national reserve. It said Pongdej, a former Wang Nam Khiao deputy police chief, sold the plot to Jumpol in 2011, when Jumpol was head of Provincial Police Bureau 3, and that Tim had been covertly employed to take care of the land and the houses.

WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION OF THE THAI-CHINESE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT START?

This issue interests both Chinese and Thais people. Both governments intended to make the project become true.

The joint committee of the two governments has had 16 meetings and there has been some progress. We [China] intend to talk openly and sincerely with the Thai government and hope both countries will discuss it on a responsible basis.

I’m confident that the project will eventually begin its construction soon. The sooner the construction, the faster the benefit to Chinese and Thai people. I wish the construction could begin in the first six month of this year, and it could take around three to four years to complete the whole route.

APART FROM THE THAI-CHINESE RAILWAY PROJECT, WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THAILAND AND CHINA?

To maintain visits and exchanges of opinions between the two governments on major topics under common interests. I have two things to announce. First, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to pay an official visit to China later this year, which will be her 41st visit to the country.

The Thai monarchy always pays most attention to the two countries’ relations development. Like the visit of HRH this time, it will [again] also help to enhance the relations. Every time she visits China she will find an opportunity to study education, trade, economics and medicine in order to encourage the exchange of knowledge and cooperation between the two countries and bring benefit to the Thai people.

Second, China and Thailand will hold the third strategic partnership meeting in the first half of this year. We will determine our future direction on joint development and cooperation.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN CHINA’S RELATIONS WITH COUNTRIES ALONG THE MEKONG RIVER, AS NOW THERE IS MUCH OPPOSITION AGAINST THE PLAN TO BLOW UP RAPIDS IN THE MEKONG RIVER?

The decision to manage and develop the river’s navigation route … was jointly approved by China, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Experts from the four countries are now working in a joint working group.

Our priority concern is environmental issues. At the beginning of the process, [the experts] assessed the environmental and social impact. They will be very strict on the environmental impact.

Now we are in the process of hearing opinions of people living along the river. Then, the working group will finalise the reports of the environmental impact assessment and analysis and send them to the four countries to discuss and approve.

The project will be able to start only when the four governments give the nod.

The project is aimed at elevating the navigation route in the Mekong River as well as raising people’s quality of life. The project will benefit people of the four countries. I don’t think any government will allow China to destroy the environment. We hope in the beginning of the process, Thailand will support the project to sail through.

WHEN WILL THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT GRANT VISA EXEMPTIONS TO THAI TOURISTS?

Well, I want to ask [you] back: When will the Thai government offer free visas to Chinese tourists? In the past, we [both governments] used to discuss the cooperation. And I hope our concerned agencies will further discuss the proposal soon. Both should try their best.

I believe visa exemption for both countries would help promote tourism. I intentionally want the proposal to be accomplished.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE THAI GOVERNMENT’S CRACKDOWN ON “ZERO DOLLAR” TOURS, WHICH IS AIMED AT CHINESE TOURISTS ON A BUDGET?

The Chinese government does not oppose but understands and supports the policy, starting in the second half of last year. We think it will protect our tourists’ benefit and promote the tourism market. The number of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand gradually increases.

Last year, there were 8.8 million Chinese tourists who came here and it was the biggest number of foreign tourists in Thailand. They generated Bt445 billion revenue for Thailand last year.

Among Chinese’s top-ten most popular tourist destinations, six are in Thailand. Phuket ranks No 1, followed by Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi, Samui and Chiang Mai, respectively.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NEW US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S STANCE TOWARDS CHINA?

Two days ago, Trump sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping and today [Friday] the US president had his first telephone conversation with the Chinese president. It shows that both leaders intend to push forward and gradually improve the relations between the two nations.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND US ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE?

Before I answer your question I want to explain about Trump’s phone call to Xi. Trump said the US will respect the “One China” policy. Trump realised the importance of the principle in order to foster the development of relations between China and the US. China and the US will further collaborate on discussions on the South China Sea dispute, anti-terrorism and security in the region, as well as North Korea’s nuclear programme. Both of us have closely discussed [those issues] all the time. China wishes to continue to closely talk with the new US government in order to maintain peace, stability and security in the region and the world.

The situation in the South China Sea is easing now. Stakeholders in the dispute have returned to use normal communication channels to find a solution. China hopes the US will help enhance peace in this region.

SO, THE WAR IS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN?

China and US are two superpowers in the world. Any interaction between them will affect the world and the region.

AS AN ASEAN MEMBER AND AN ALLY FOR BOTH CHINA AND THE US, WHAT ROLE SHOULD THAILAND PLAY IN THIS DISPUTE?

Thailand is a good friend, neighbour and strategic partner of China. Thailand plays a constructive role to help ease the dispute. We very much admire the attempt. But some countries and some people don’t really want the dispute to end. So, we highly hope Thailand will show a strong role to foster peace and stability in this region and encourage talk among the claimant nations.