VIVAnews - Hit by a bloody political crisis for about two months, Bangkok is gradually returning to normal, said the Royal Thai Ambassador to Indonesia, Thanatip Upatising.
During an interview with VIVAnews.com on 26 May 2010, Mr. Thanatip said that the government - in addition to law enforcement operations - is now heading toward the reconciliation process through internal consultation among people from different groups, including the anti-government group (UDD) academics, and ordinary people
Ambassador Thanatip, who has just presented his credential to Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono a few weeks ago, also underlined that most of top tourism sites in Thailand remain safe for tourists. "The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects the [tourism] sector to recover in the third quarter after the political crisis is resolved," said Mr. Thanatip.
The political crisis in Bangkok over the last few weeks has caused many casualties, social disturbances and heavy economic loss. What measures did the Government take to overcome the situation?
Following efforts by the authorities to cordon off the protest area at Ratchaprasong Intersection (Thailand’s major business district) since 13 May 2010, it has become evident that armed elements among the protesters have conducted continuous attacks upon security forces.
Consequently, on 19 May 2010, the Government began operations to tighten the cordon to secure the perimeter around the protest site so that the security officers would be able to better provide security and safety for the public in those areas-especially to protect the protesters and innocent people from those armed elements using weapons of war.
With regard to calls for transparency and scrutiny of the authorities’ operations, the Government has made it clear that in carrying out these operations, the officers-as in all other cases-abided strictly by the rules of operation established by the Government in accordance with international standards (as been welcomed by Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that the Royal Thai Government has set three firm principles governing the use of live ammunition, namely that it should first be fired in the air as a warning, and used as a last resort for self-defense or to save lives).
The operations were also conducted transparently, with members of the media, both domestic and international, able to report upon the scrutiny force’s operations.
Does the Government intend to formulate a reconciliation process with the opposing party (in this case the UDD - The National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship) to ensure that there will be no more crisis in the future?
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva puts forward before the Thai public a five-point roadmap for reconciliation to restore peace and normalcy to Thai society. The said roadmap, which was formulated based on the views and grievances from all groups of people including the UDD, academics, civil society organizations or ordinary people, encompasses the need:
1. To uphold and protect the monarchy from being violated or drawn into the political conflict
2. To resolve fundamental problems of social justice systematically and with participation by all sectors of society
3. To ensure that the media can operate freely and constructively and not be misused to create conflict or hatred
4. To establish facts about violent incidents through setting up of an independent fact-finding committee with a view to ensuring justice for all concerned and seeking out the truth for society; and
5. To establish mutually acceptable political rules by putting issues, including certain provisions of the Constitution or laws seen as unfair, on the table and set up a mechanism to solicit views from all sides to bring about justice for those involved in the political conflict, so that these issues would no longer lead to rejection of the political process and conflict in the future.
How do the people respond to the road map?
The roadmap has been welcomed by people in various sectors of society including key figures of the UDD . The Government continues to work with the civil society sector and others concerned, including the media, to move forward on the five elements under the reconciliation plan.
Is the crisis spreading over to other cities in Thailand, including to tourism sites?
Most of the main tourist destinations in Thailand are still intact. Since the situation has contained only in certain area including Bangkok and some provinces in the North and North-East.
Certain major destinations in Thailand which attract millions of tourists every year are: Southern Thailand (Phuket, Ko Samui, Hatyai); Central Thailand (Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya); Northern Thailand (Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Pai) and; North-eastern Thailand (Khao Yai National Park and Phimai historical park)
Unlike some other governments, Indonesia - to date - still opens its embassy in Bangkok. Does your government welcome the Indonesia's decision?
The Royal Thai Government attaches the utmost importance to the safety and well-being of foreign nationals and members of the diplomatic corps in Thailand.
We have provided the necessary assistances and escorted diplomats and their family in accordance to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations 1961and Consular Relation 1963.
It will continue to do its utmost to provide security for them and stands ready to extend any necessary assistance which may be needed.
I have been informed that the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok was safely moved to one of the high security hotel in Bangkok during the time as a precautionary measure.
[According to its website, The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok has resumed its operation as usual since 24 May 2010]
The Bangkok conflict unfortunately occured a few months before the holiday season. Are you anticipating the declining number of foreign tourists - including Indonesian visitors - going to Thailand?
The unrest in Bangkok have cost Thailand an estimated 7.5 billion baht (approximately 182 million euro or 232 million US dollars) in tourism revenues for the months March and April, based on international arrival numbers.
Is the government formulating a special program to re-attract tourists to come to Thailand despite the crisis?
The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects the sector to recover in the third quarter after the political crisis is resolved. Plans have been drawn up by the government to revitalise the tourism trade, starting in June, with 1 billion baht set aside for campaigns targeting international markets and 600 million baht targeting the domestic market.
As already stated by Indonesian and Thai officials, the political conflict in your country is a domestic issue and thereby should not be intervened by other countries. Yet, we hope that the crisis will be over as soon as possible. Do you have a suggestion to us, what we (Indonesia) can do to help your nation to overcome the crisis?
Thailand appreciates the concerns from all ASEAN members who are always a good friend and support the return to normalcy in Thailand. Thailand would like to extend an appreciation to Indonesian Government, especially to the kind understanding of Dr. Marty Natalegawa (Foreign Minister of Indonesia) and to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who stands ready to extend all possible assistance if requested by Thai Government.
However, the situation in Thailand is now under control and Thai Government is now heading toward the reconciliation through internal consultation among people from different groups including the UDD, academics, and ordinary people
sumber: http://en.vivanews.com/news/read/153927-thailand_crisis_is_now_under_control
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