Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday laughed off fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's conditions for talks with the government, saying the former leader had to serve his jail term first before any negotiations.
Thaksin earlier demanded the government reinstate the constitution of 1997, dissolve the House of Representatives and call a new general election. When asked to comment on the conditions, the prime minister responded: "Why? He [Thaksin] should first take legal responsibility before there are any talks."
The possibility of talks between Thaksin and the government was renewed after post-coup prime minister General Surayud Chulanont, now a Privy Council member, reportedly offered to act as a mediator.
Abhisit said yesterday that he had no problem dissolving the House and calling a snap election, but he wondered if the demand for reinstatement of the abolished charter of 1997 was aimed at benefiting the entire system or certain individuals.
"I said that when the economy becomes strong [a new general election will be called]. Now the economy is gradually becoming stronger," the prime minister said.
However, he added that amendment to the current Constitution is needed to set a clear rule about elections in order that political parties do not complain when they get dissolved for electoral fraud. "Let's make it clear. To contest an election you need to respect the rules," he said.
"Also, there must be no violent political moves, and election candidates must be allowed to campaign without being threatened. If these things can go on for some time, the House can be dissolved. There is no problem," he added.
Abhisit said that in terms of economic strength, he thought next year would be ready for a new election. But he asked for the opposition to rejoin the efforts to amend the current charter, which was drafted after the coup of 2006 that overthrew the Thaksin government. He expected the amendment process to take no more than seven months.
"During that six to seven months, if Thaksin and the red shirts make it clear they won't resort to violence, there's no problem in me dissolving the House," said the prime minister.
He noted that the government was performing satisfactorily, according to a recent public opinion survey. And he said he believed society had "learned many things" over the past 12 months his government had been in office.
"We must be tolerant in order to overcome social divisions. This is a time-consuming process. We must be consistent with this principle and heed the viewpoints that are different from ours," he added. Meanwhile, ex-PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who is now chief adviser to the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday that Thaksin should not be viewed as the only problem and that all parties concerned must take part to help ensure a peaceful society.
Former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday voiced support to a talk with Thaksin to end the ongoing political conflict. He called on the government to initiate such a talk, saying that an effort to end the dispute peacefully was "long overdue".
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday called on the opposition to rejoin the efforts to amend the Constitution, instead of calling for reinstatement of the 1997 charter. He said that it was impossible that Thaksin would be allowed to go free in spite of the jail sentence against him.
"It would be unacceptable to the public for Thaksin not to serve his jail term and have his confiscated assets returned. If Thaksin doesn't want to follow the Thai law and stay above the law while other Thais have to abide by it, it's better for him to stay abroad," Suthep said.