The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has announce details of a three-stage plan for reconciliation and assigned Lt Gen Kampanart Ruddith, an assistant army chief-of-staff, to head the new Reconciliation Centre for Reforms (RCR).
The details were announced by Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) spokesman Banpot Phunpien on Tuesday.Col Banpot said the RCR's operations will be run by its working groups at the central command and Regions 1-4 Internal Security Operations Command headquarters.
The first stage, which has begun, involves preparation. At this stage the RCR will invite representatives of various agencies to form working groups at the central command and Regions 1-4 Isoc offices. Each of them would set up a data-collecting centre, lay down an operational plan and fix areas of responsibility.
In the second stage, to commence in early June, all working groups will compile information and opinions from people at family, village, tambon, district, provincial and regional levels to lay down an operational plan for RCR's consideration.
For the third stage, due to begin in July, the proposed operational plan will be finalised for implementation.
The Interior Ministry has instructed every province to set up an RCR operations centre at the provincial Isoc office to carry out the plan.
Col Banpot said the RCR will provide necessary facilities for all groups, regardless of their ideologies, to come together to create an appropriate atmosphere for people in Thai society to accept differences of opinion. The centres will handle existing conflicts fairly and systematically under the current justice process, without taking into consideration previous conditions set under the justice process prior to May 22.
In an overall operation, all military, policy and civil agencies must integrate their mechanisms tor the same objective, of achieving reconciliation. Such mechanisms include the district's arbitration centre, local administrations and people's organisations.
Emphasis will be given to building unity and promoting understanding that could lead to acceptance of individual political opinions.
All agencies ionvolved are to compile proposals related to reforms for consideration in order to further organise activities for the people to reconcile with one another.
Such activities may include public services, local traditional activities, meetings with the people by administrative officials and community forums, both formal and informal.
Col Banpot said NCPO leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha is firm in his intention to return happiness to the people, stamp out conflict in society, create unity, and uphold the nation, religion and the royal institution.
He wants all conflicting parties to join as one to solve problems, move the country forward and take part in the reform process ahead of a clean and fair election truly participated in by all, Col Banpot said.
