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Former Thai Prime Minister Sees Merit in Protesters' Demands

Rattaphol Onsanit

   WASHINGTON - Former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, an
   [1]internationally respected figure, has watched pro-democracy street
   protests roil Bangkok this summer. He finds himself agreeing with some
   of the movement's key demands and believes there is room for
   reconciliation.

   The protesters want "resign, rewrite, reform," or the resignation
   of'¯Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the rewriting of Thailand's
   constitution so it is more democratic and inclusive, and the reform of
   the monarchy.'¯They also want the release of activists who have been
   arrested.

   While pointing out that he was not in a position to respond to the call
   for Prayuth's resignation, Anand said of the protesters' demands, only
   the call to reform the monarchy gives him pause.

   "It's of national significance, but in my view, it is not something
   that needs to get done immediately," he told VOA Thai. '¯"I think what
   they said has gone overboard."

   While his past as a military-appointed prime minister draws criticism,
   Anand's position and persona of elder statesman leads Thais to pay
   attention to his observations.

   In 1991, military leaders who had staged a coup selected Anand to be
   prime minister. After an election, a former army chief accepted an
   invitation by coalition parties to become prime minister. The move
   triggered a huge protest that was met with a bloody crackdown, the
   "Black May" massacre in May 1992. Weeks later, Anand was appointed to
   lead the country again.

References

   1. https://www.unicef.org/media/media_14534.html

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