KATHMANDU, May 18 - In respect of the sacrifices and participation made by the Nepalese people in the peaceful joint people's movement,

In due attention to the fact that the people had shown keen interest through the peaceful joint people's movement that took place some time back, o­n establishing that people are the sole source of state power of the independent and sovereign Nepal, as the people are the sole source of state powers and sovereignty,

With determination to fulfilling the peoples' mandate given by the Nepali people as per the roadmap of the seven political parties and the 12-point understanding between the seven political parties and the CPN-Maoist in the peaceful joint people's movement to restore a inclusive state by restructuring the state by formulating new constitution and to restore sustainable peace through democracy, and constituent assembly.

(Bangkok, 7 May 2006) Political leaders and civil society representatives stressed the regular monitoring of the situation in Nepal and sought strong solidarity for democratic movement in both the countries in Bangkok, Thailand.

Speaking at a brainstorming and seminar o­n 'Fighting for Democracy: Experiences of People's Movement in Nepal and Thailand', organised by the Thai Solidarity Group for Democratic Movement in Nepal, Sulak Sivarak, senior civil society member and democratic activist in Thailand, highlighted the role of monarchy and democracy in various countries. "Institutions are for the people, but neither for the constitution nor the sake of continuation of royal governance. The future of Nepal has to be determined along with the spirit of the people's movement", he said.

Professor Surat Horachaikul, Director of South Asia Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, emphasized people to people contact to make sure that their issues would reflect at the new constitution in Nepal. However, the sustainable democracy cannot be guaranteed merely by the constitution. There are many issues such as civic education and reflection of people's agenda in the state systems to lay people to develop free will, he said.