Politicians make universal plea for peace

By Pradit Ruangdit and Penchan Charoensuthipan

Former prime ministers and veteran politicians have issued unprecedented calls for political groups in conflict to pay heed to His Majesty the King's concerns over Wednesday's party dissolution verdicts.

National Legislative Assembly (NLA) president Meechai Ruchupan said the King's speech to Supreme Administrative Court judges on Thursday showed he has been worried about the well-being of his subjects, even though he could not directly speak out.

Mr Meechai made his statement during a public forum on Friday, organised jointly by the NLA, King Prajadhipok's Institute, Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University at the UN headquarters.

The King on Thursday voiced concern over the Constitution Tribunal's verdicts in electoral fraud cases involving the Democrats, Thai Rak Thai and three lesser-known parties, which may result in their dissolution, saying the court verdicts will have a great impact on the country's political situation.

Mr Meechai said the speech showed political conflicts also affected His Majesty.

"So any groups intending to cause political turmoil should take into account the feelings of the King," he said.

Mr Meechai said the Thai monarch in the constitution is not only a symbolic leader. All the constitutions in the past entrusted the monarch with the royal authority to veto the legislature's decision and to make recommendations to the cabinet upon its request.

His Majesty has maintained political neutrality in accordance with these constitutions, Mr Meechai said.

He pointed out that the "neutral role" could sometimes frustrate the King as he could not express his political opinions.

Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun said the King has an extra authority beyond that which was stated in the constitutions. The authority derives from the public trust he has earned through several decades of hard work and virtue.

He recalled Black May in 1992 when the confrontation between the Suchinda Kraprayoon government and anti-government protesters led by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang escalated. Without judging any party, His Majesty told both of them if they continued their confrontation, the real losers would be the people, Mr Anand recalled.

Following an audience with the King, Gen Suchinda resigned as prime minister, he said.

"Over the past eight to nine months, if one person had had the spirit to resign from the premier's post, no coup d'etat would have taken place," he added.