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The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume II - 2010 Sobha Spielmann 17 approach. Those in charge, as well as their potential opponents, need to be provided a functional yet manageable conflict avoidance or reduction strategy, not just taught ‘proper behavior’. The rationale and ‘etiquette’ for demonstrating and protesting needs to be taught and inculcated into society too. At the same time, this would also serve to keeping antagonists apart. However, for improving the actual situation on the ground, it would be quite useful to offer the opportunity (on specified occasions) and space for meetings in the public arena and communal spaces as a base to encourage people to join together, rather than living apart. Overcoming Constraints Strong evidence gained from the reduction or resolution of former conflicts suggests that even major barriers can be broken down and constraints or weaknesses can be overcome as long as norms and values or social sanctions become flexible enough to accommodate reasonable aspirations and demands. They also need to amend severe shortcomings or soft spots as well as close ‘short circuits’ in order to lodge appeals or demands. There is a need to augment the lack of an interface between authorities and the rest of the people. Even an entirely adverse situation can be turned around, but constraints are abundant: Adopting suitable and timely responses is key to success. Efforts that have developed useful typologies, dynamics, formulas and models and strategies, have demonstrated, once violence has broken out, conflicts should be taken on in a comprehensive manner, in a systematic and structured approach, not in some isolated or sporadic, spontaneous or improvising way. Thai society is used to a top-down flow of decisions (vertical bias) and (selective) information trickling down from the authorities to their ‘subjects’ which could benefit from appreciating and even promoting horizontal flows of information, communication and interaction amongst a multitude of actors meeting on a more even keel. For this to take effect, extensive concerns with those in positions of authority need to be overcome, namely, opening up to the public, whether it is a consultation with the public or an enhanced transparency which would water down their control or endanger their authority. The authorities need to adopt the art of compromise. In the past the authorities aim to restore the status quo was the ultimate goal, for those on the other side the aim was total change, so as to reverse their fortunes, fulfill all their aspirations and thus present them with a positive future. Compromises ought to be found