The reconciliation preparation committee and its four sub-panels convened on Monday to assess the progress of the talks the former initiated.

Seventy political parties, two political groups and 60 civil organisations were invited to take part in the talks which ended on Friday, but only 55 did so.

Those that did not attend either could not be contacted or were not ready to attend the talks, Kongcheep said.

Kongcheep said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, head of the reconciliation committee, stressed that the process belonged to the people and they should have a chance to take part in it and gain benefits from it.

The Army has also been holding related forums upcountry and will finish all 76 forums this Thursday, Kongcheep said.

The proposals will then be synthesised with proposals from the Bangkok forums, with the “social contract” expected by June, he added.