BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta leader said on Friday a process of reconciliation between political factions and reforms would take about one year and only after that would a general election would be held.

Army chief General Prayuth Chanocha, who overthrew the government last week, said all sides had to cooperate and stop protesting for his plan for the restoration of democracy to succeed.

“Thailand and the Thai people are facing many problems that require immediate attention and solutions,” he said in a televised address. “Enough time has been wasted on conflict.”
Gen Prayuth justified his takeover and the tough measures he introduced afterwards, which included the detention of about 250 people, censorship of the media and a ban on gatherings.

“We cannot keep fighting each other just because we think differently,” said the army chief, sitting at a table with flowers in front of him and portraits of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit on a wall behind him.

“Every side must find a way to cooperate,” he added.

Thailand has become polarised between supporters of ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and her influential brother, deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the royalist establishment that sees them as a threat to the old order.

Thaksin’s popularity among poorer voters, especially in the populous, rural northeast and north, has ensured that he or his allies have won every election since 2001.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2014