Thai political parties hold meeting on national reconciliation

BANGKOK, January 6 (TNA) - Leaders or representatives of Thai political parties held a close-door meeting in Bangkok on Friday to discuss national reconciliation, at the invitation of the Matubhum Party's leader General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin. General Sonthi, the leader of a military coup in September 2006 which toppled a six-year elected administration of exiled ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reportedly invited all nine Thai political parties to hold talks on ways to bring about national reconciliation. Key Thai politicians attending the luncheon meeting called by General Sonthi, who is now chairman of the Thai Parliament's reconciliation committee, included opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Chanveerakul, Rak Santi Party leader Purachai Piumsomboon, ruling Pheu Thai Party representative Yongyuth Wichaidit, Chartthaipattana Party leader Chumpol Silpa-archa, Rak Prathet Thai Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit and Chartpattana Pheu Pandin Party representative Prasert Bunchaisuk. (TNA)