Ex-prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has got his name in the media again, but for old, tired and ultimately unacceptable reasons. The 86-year-old former army chief trotted out his tired recommendation for solving the country's political division and problems. Once again he plumped for what he and a handful of supporters have previously called a national government. He has ever so slightly altered his plan by calling for an indefinite delay in national elections and formation of what he now calls "interim government".
It is just as unworkable and unacceptable as it was the first time he put forward such a plan over eight years ago. After the May 19, 2010, violence when the army attacked and dispersed red-shirt protesters, Gen Chavalit plumped for a "national government", requiring dismantling the government of that time, led by Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats. Gen Chavalit was certain a national coalition could establish peace to let an election take place. A Pheu Thai government would, he said, "resolve all problems in eight to 16 months".
We know how that turned out. A free and fair election was held in mid-2011. The Pheu Thai Party won and formed the government. It certainly failed to resolve "all problems" and arguably made political divisions not just worse, but closer to civil war. No important figure on any side of the political, military or business sectors supported the plan.
