POLITICS
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
Academics yesterday expressed concern about the possibility of violent clashes between pro- and anti-government groups over the government's bid to rewrite the 2007 charter.
Some suggested a parliament dissolution could be the way out.
The present political situation was discussed at a seminar held by the Thai Journalists Association yesterday. Chulalongkorn University political scientist Surachart Bamrungsuk said mounting dissatisfaction over the government's attempts to rewrite the charter could lead to chaos which could develop into civil war.
He said the possibility of civil war was stronger than after the October 1976 student massacre, as anti-government sentiment was now spreading among the general public and was not confined to students.
Another coup d'etat would only worsen the turmoil in the country, he said. The best way to stabilise the nation's politics was to allow every sector, including the government, the upper and lower houses and the courts, to function properly.
Mr Surachart said a House dissolution was one way out of the political crisis, while the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) should take their street protests further by forming a political party and running in the next general election.
Pichai Rattanadilok na Phuket, of the National Institute of Development Administration, said there would be trouble if the government rewrote the charter to spare corrupt politicians in the Thaksin Shinawatra government from being punished.
"The country should be prepared [for chaos] as soon as the government submits the charter amendment motion to parliament," he said.
Parinya Thewanarumitkul of Thammasat University said violence and bloodshed were avoidable if the whole of Thai society denounced violence.
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