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[Sexpat]

"Anti-government groups have formed a parallel National Reform Committee, after claiming they were shunned by government committees led by former premier Anand Panyarachun and Dr Prawese Wasi.

"This will lead to the scrutiny of the government's committees because it's clear that the committees are bereft of red shirts and not inclusive," said Chulalongkorn University political science lecturer Pitch Pongsawat, who is regarded as sympathetic to the red shirts. "This will also lead to the creation of a network among red shirts."

Asked if the move was merely a tactic to try to undermine the legitimacy of the government committees rather than to pursue reform itself, Pitch said there was absolutely nothing wrong with trying to de-legitimise the government."I think it will lead to dialogue. The mainstream media haven't been scrutinising the government's committees. As for the intention to reform, reform is common just as we need a permanent revolution," he said.

The move to set up parallel committees was led by Red Power Magazine editor Somyos Preuksakasemsuk, who convened a meeting yesterday in Nakhon Pathom to sidestep the emergency decree, which outlaws any political gathering of more than five people in Bangkok. It decided to form provincial chapters and have representatives from different sections of society to participate in the parallel process."