Date – September 8, 2010
Many people were surprised to see the move of Puea Thai Party to send its deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi to propose the government a new national reconciliation plan, supposedly to encourage cooperation and end conflicts.
Perhaps even more surprising is the gesture of the government and the Democrat Party that seem to favor Puea Thai’s plan.
A thorough analysis on the situation would reveal that both Puea Thai and Democrat are currently afraid of a certain “power outside the system”.
The said power outside the system may be looking to dominate the government once again, due to its desire to stop the spreading of the network of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Therefore, it is not so surprising that there have been many rumours on the assassination attempts on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Bhumjaithai Party de factor leader Newin Chidchob, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, and Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Pengdit.
At the same time, there are continuous efforts to raise the issues of anti-monarchy action of certain groups.
All of these can provide excuses for the return of the “power outside the system”.
However, the new move will be very much well-planned, in contrast to the amateurish operations of the coup on September 19, 2006.
In addition, the Democrat dissolution case may also become another condition that will allow the power outside the system to return to play a prominent role.
This scenario is possible if there is a cooperation of three groups, which are influential former military officers, powerful officers who are still active in the armed forces, and politicians who are closed to the military.
Many insiders reported that there was a talk among the “top” people of this country on the possibility to allow an “outsider” to become the prime minister by amending certain articles of the constitution.
Such reports have led to speculation of many prime minister candidates including Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwannarat, former deputy prime minister and finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, and even former prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Then, there is also a rumour heard in the Democrat Party that a senior figure close to Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda was shaking his head in response to the question “how the Democrat Party would be saved from the dissolution case”.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Abhisit seems to signal that the election may come sooner than expected despite his earlier remarks that the election would be in 2011.
It is possible that Puea Thai and Democrat are now extending friendship to each other and cooperate on the reconciliation because they both are well aware of the intention of the powers that be.
The two parties know that their cooperation is a good defence of the election-oriented politicians against the encroaching of the power outside the system.