If we 'banned' political use of the word salim and used it again only for the dessert, would it cause reconciliation? Thailand may be heading towards another conflict between the military regime and those who oppose it. It was expected that despite different attitudes about what constitutes democracy, social justice or peace, people would at least agree that corruption is not to be tolerated. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha’s failure to take a clear stance in the case of Gen Prawit’s luxury watches has ruined that possible path for reconciliation. The hardening up of the military regime and increasing resistance among pro-election protesters foretells a coming battle more than it does a time of unity.

Source: Bangkok Post February 19, 2018 23:26 UTC