20-year plan irreversible: PM Prayut

[webfact]

20-year plan irreversible: PM

By KAS CHANWANPEN, 
WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

 

SCHOLARS WORRY PRAYUT MAY USE NATIONAL STRATEGY AS A ‘POLITICAL TOOL’

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha staunchly defended his 20-year national strategy plan yesterday and warned that people should not allow politicians to scrap it, even as scholars expressed their fears it could be used to sabotage future governments.

 

“Today, many parties are saying that when they become the government, they’ll axe the national strategy,” Prayut said. “[That is] axing your own country. Will you people yield to that? You can’t. This is the avenue you must pursue if you want prosperity.”

 

The junta leader made the remark in a speech “National Strategy: Thai Future Our Future” that he gave to the opening of the National Economic and Social Development Board’s annual meeting at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani. The event was attended by more than 2,500 people from various sectors.

 

Prayut said such grand schemes were present in many countries all over the world. All governments needed to follow them and not deviate from them, he said.

 

“Whoever becomes the PM must chair the National Strategy Committee and follow it,” Prayut said. “Now, some people just want to be the PM but don’t want to carry out the strategy because it has already framed what the PM has to do.”

 

The 20-year national strategy has been drafted and passed by entities under the coup-installed regime and is highlighted in the Constitution that obliges future government to adhere to the plans laid out in it. Cabinet members could be impeached if they refuse to comply with it.

 

Political parties and critics have lamented that the strategy, written with limited public participation, would overrule future elected governments and in part force them to carry out the junta’s legacy.

 

Prayut, however, has reiterated that the contentious strategy is vital to the country’s future. When he said recently that he was interested in political work, Prayut also brought up the strategy and reforms, saying he wanted the junta’s initiatives to be respected and implemented even after the new government is in place.

 

According to a Thammasat University political scientist, Attasit Pankaew, the emphasis Prayut is trying to put on the national strategy can be viewed as an approach to assert himself in politics.

 

“It could be a ploy to maintain his relevance in [post-junta] politics,” he said. “If we see that he’s preparing to become a politician when he said he’s interested in politics, the stress over the national strategy could be his way of campaigning to win voters. Because some people will surely think that [because] Prayut has pushed it forward, he’s the best person to carry it out.”

 

Attasit was not certain, however, if the national strategy was appealing to the public.

 

People might be aware of its existence and that it would be the master plan for the country’s development over the next 20 years, but he believed that few people understood its central substance or where exactly it was likely to take the country.

 

Meanwhile, an economist also said yesterday that he feared the 20-year national strategy being used as a political tool to overthrown future elected governments.

 

Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, assistant managing director at Phatra Securities, expressed his concern over the national strategy formulated by the junta-backed government.

 

“Generally, it is all right if we have a long-term plan with no punishment for governments that do not follow the strategy, but the 20-year national strategy has imposed a penalty which could lead to an impeachment of the next election governments,” said Pipat.

 

Therefore, he warned, the national strategy was rigid and prone to be used as a political tool to overthrow future elected governments. The plan also risked becoming obsolete when conditions changed in the future, he pointed out.

 

For instance, the current government wants to implement the Eastern Economic Corridor and special economic zones along Thailand’s borders but these projects might prove to be irrelevant in the future, he noted.

 

Prayut yesterday tried to allay people’s fears, denying that the 20-year plan was rigid and saying that it could be changed. Pipat, however, said the procedure involved in attempting to change the plan was very difficult.

 

The PM also expressed his optimism that Thailand could get out of its middle-income trap faster than 20 years and he called for people’s co-operation to make that |happen.

 

For his part, Pipat said it could be done if the country were able to raise its productivity and achieve an annual economic growth rate of 5 per cent, which he believed would pose a serious challenge.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30355356

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-28

[Thaiwrath]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prayut said such grand schemes were present in many countries all over the world.

 

Where Mr P ?

North Korea, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Belarus, to name a few ?

All well respected countries ! (not).

[z42]

Tyrannical, and utterly ridiculous to boot. The tantrums are being thrown at prolific levels lately.

 

I do love his attempt at debate though, just throw down loads of empty and redundant hypothetical visions. Jusy surprised he never mentioned good governance in this latest wobbly

[zzaa09]

Actually, any such long ranging strategies can and will be scrapped, just as easily as they were created.

[Lungstib]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut said. “[That is] axing your own country. Will you people yield to that? You can’t. This is the avenue you must pursue if you want prosperity.”

 

Obviously he thinks that only the military can deliver future prosperity. Past observations do not substantiate this claim but since when has he been held back by facts or truth. His narcissism has really got the better of him. 

[Oziex1]

Not sure what the plan is, something about P staying in power till he has enough of the treasuries money to retire in Monaco?

[DoctorG]

If they have managed to embed this into the Constitution so governments cannot mess with it, then the simple answer is just to change the C again. It seems that nearly every gov does that anyway.

[RichardColeman]

47 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

Actually, any such long ranging strategies can and will be scrapped, just as easily as they were created.

as can the next government by a new coupe 

[baboon]

23 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

Not sure what the plan is, something about P staying in power till he has enough of the treasuries money to retire in Monaco?

I doubt that money is all that much of an issue. He already has plenty. I think it is more to do with the allure of bossing people about, having the cameras following him around and having his backside kissed by a gaggle of flunkeys. 

Compared to that, why would he want to be just another retired multimillionaire tinpot General? What would he do with himself all day?

Edited September 28, 2018 by baboon

[Chassa]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

20-year plan irreversible: PM

 

 

Ha ha!

[Chassa]

No war in our time! Chamberlain said. They all lie.

[rkidlad]

So what's the point in people voting? If people don't like your plan, they will vote for someone with a different plan. That's how democracy works! 

 

[Ossy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“Today, many parties are saying that when they become the government, they’ll axe the national strategy,” Prayut said. “[That is] axing your own country. Will you people yield to that? You can’t. This is the avenue you must pursue if you want prosperity.”

What an utter plonker. Doesn't he realise that the 20-year national strategy - national straight-jacket, more like - is precisely what other, more enlightened parties see as the road to hell?

And, here's another of our fellow poster's beloved rhetorical Qs: "Will you people yield to that? You can’t. This is the avenue you must pursue if you want prosperity.” Prayuth speak, of course, for ' . . . if you want me and my junta-generals to be happy with our billions and zillions . . . I love you all and may the farce be with you."

Edited September 28, 2018 by Ossy
omisson

[jayboy]

29 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

If they have managed to embed this into the Constitution so governments cannot mess with it, then the simple answer is just to change the C again. It seems that nearly every gov does that anyway.

 

I don't see a difficulty in having a Constitution which can only be amended with difficulty, ie so that any changes are given proper consideration.

 

A political/economic/social charter for up to 20 years is rather different.Not only does it lock the position of future governments but is completely impractical.Change is happening so fast that the proposition is simply absurd.

 

Furthermore even if such a charter was under consideration it would have to be based on popular legitimacy.Clearly that is not the case in Thailand where popular sentiment is crushed.

 

Reverting to the matter of a Constitution (and I concede the meaning could be expanded to include some elements of what Prayuth has in mind), the obvious precedent is the United States.Unfortunately for Thailand there is a crucial difference.The American Founding Fathers contained several men of extraordinary genius - Adams, Franklin, Jefferson,Madison and Washington.But those who purport to emulate their role in Thailand are mostly creeps or second rate under achieving dullards wrapped up in an antique way of thinking and self interest - and in hock to Sino Thai tycoons and their myopic greedy middle class followers.

[JonnyF]

15 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

So what's the point in people voting? If people don't like your plan, they will vote for someone with a different plan. That's how democracy works! 

 

 

That's how it works in the real world. Meanwhile in Thailand, the Army and their backers lend a certain amount of power to politicians on the understanding that they will do what they are told. When they don't, they illegally seize power again. 

 

The point of voting is to create the illusion of a democracy for the outside world, while maintaining the iron grip of the military and their backers via the 20 year plan. 

 

The democratic soldier and the watchkeeper as number 1 and number 2. Sad times.

[Eligius]

Might as well hold out your arms and let the handcuffs be clapped around your wrists now. This whole thing is a pathetic joke.

 

Is there NOTHING that will rouse the Thai people's ire?

 

I was talking to a Red Shirt academic yesterday, and she told me that the Thais will basically go on taking it all. No real rebellion.

 

I am sure she is right.

[Ossy]

32 minutes ago, Eligius said:

and she told me that the Thais will basically go on taking it all. No real rebellion.

 

I am sure she is right.

Good morning, Eligius, you of the ever growing pessimistic streak . . . only joking. Well no, only half joking, since I'm saddened and surprised at your source's 'go on taking it all' statement' and also at your agreement thereto. I have this sixth sense - for want of a better name for it - that tells me that, since 1932 and the nigh on a century of CRAP government, apart from Prem, maybe, and 'the other guy' whose name I forget, since then, culminating in the ultimate disillusionment of Yingluck's rice-bribery disaster and the NCPO coup, the Thai people won't take much more. And, with the ever growing voice, passion and motivation of Uni students at the helm of the good ship Rogue Rage, I can see much happening before your average Thai is ready for rolling over, in this instance, pretty well forever.

[CLW]

Good morning, Eligius, you of the ever growing pessimistic streak . . . only joking. Well no, only half joking, since I'm saddened and surprised at your source's 'go on taking it all' statement' and also at your agreement thereto. I have this sixth sense - for want of a better name for it - that tells me that, since 1932 and the nigh on a century of CRAP government, apart from Prem, maybe, and 'the other guy' whose name I forget, since then, culminating in the ultimate disillusionment of Yingluck's rice-bribery disaster and the NCPO coup, the Thai people won't take much more. And, with the ever growing voice, passion and motivation of Uni students at the helm of the good ship Rogue Rage, I can see much happening before your average Thai is ready for rolling over, in this instance, pretty well forever.

Anyways, interesting times ahead before, during and after the so called elections next year, if they ever happen...

[Eric Loh]

The National Strategy Act which was passed 179-0 by the NLA in July and submitted for royal endorsement has yet to be endorsed and gazetted. Unusually long. ??? 

[Ossy]

12 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

The National Strategy Act which was passed 179-0 by the NLA in July and submitted for royal endorsement has yet to be endorsed and gazetted. Unusually long. ???  

20 years is an unusually long strategy ????

[Eligius]

58 minutes ago, Ossy said:

Good morning, Eligius, you of the ever growing pessimistic streak . . . only joking. Well no, only half joking, since I'm saddened and surprised at your source's 'go on taking it all' statement' and also at your agreement thereto. I have this sixth sense - for want of a better name for it - that tells me that, since 1932 and the nigh on a century of CRAP government, apart from Prem, maybe, and 'the other guy' whose name I forget, since then, culminating in the ultimate disillusionment of Yingluck's rice-bribery disaster and the NCPO coup, the Thai people won't take much more. And, with the ever growing voice, passion and motivation of Uni students at the helm of the good ship Rogue Rage, I can see much happening before your average Thai is ready for rolling over, in this instance, pretty well forever.

Great post, Ossy. I hope you are right - and that I (and my academic Red Shirt friend) are wrong!

[Bob12345]

2 hours ago, DoctorG said:

If they have managed to embed this into the Constitution so governments cannot mess with it, then the simple answer is just to change the C again. It seems that nearly every gov does that anyway.

Not nearly every government changes the constitution, just the military governments do. 

[Eric Loh]

Just now, Ossy said:

20 years is an unusually long strategy ????

If the law is not gazetted, the national strategy commission can't be formed and the drafting details for the 6 different fields can't be completed. The National Strategy Commission is chaired by the PM. If the Act is delayed and if the election is held Feb, then the elected PM will chair. He and his cabinet will have control on the details of the draft. The fields are strategies covering strengthening competiveness, human capital development, social equality, re-structure of state administration and creating economic growth. Very broad. I am sure Prayut would like to chair and have control on the details. He may not have that luxury if the Act is 'delayed'.

[Ossy]

38 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

If the law is not gazetted, the national strategy commission can't be formed and the drafting details for the 6 different fields can't be completed. The National Strategy Commission is chaired by the PM. If the Act is delayed and if the election is held Feb, then the elected PM will chair. He and his cabinet will have control on the details of the draft. The fields are strategies covering strengthening competiveness, human capital development, social equality, re-structure of state administration and creating economic growth. Very broad. I am sure Prayut would like to chair and have control on the details. He may not have that luxury if the Act is 'delayed'.

Thanks EL . . . helpful as always and, more to the point, motivating me - for the first time, I shamefacedly admit - to Google the 20-yr plan and thereby end its mythical status. Now that I've seen it, I have to say that I'm impressed by the quality of the graphics, but, even more than before I'd seen it, I'm shouting 'What a load of Pie in the Sky.' The junta regime are neither motivated nor capable of delivering such an idealistic plan and it's ended up even more of a myth.

But thanks for giving me that prompt to read the damn thing. I'm Googling 'Road Map', now, but can't get past Michelin and Collins.

[Krataiboy]

20-year plan irreversible: PM

 

Mercifully, the PM isn't.

 

[Krataiboy]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

That's how it works in the real world. Meanwhile in Thailand, the Army and their backers lend a certain amount of power to politicians on the understanding that they will do what they are told. When they don't, they illegally seize power again. 

 

The point of voting is to create the illusion of a democracy for the outside world, while maintaining the iron grip of the military and their backers via the 20 year plan. 

 

The democratic soldier and the watchkeeper as number 1 and number 2. Sad times.

 

Bang on. If we didn't have a government of dinosaurs, they would be aware that technology is changing the world so rapidly that planning ten, let alone twenty years ago, is dangerous folly.

[Justgrazing]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

but he believed that few people understood its central substance or where exactly it was likely to take the country

Right down the pan if the last 4 yrs are anything to go by ..

[billd766]

4 hours ago, DoctorG said:

If they have managed to embed this into the Constitution so governments cannot mess with it, then the simple answer is just to change the C again. It seems that nearly every gov does that anyway.

 

If the constitution is changed the government doing it should add that anyone attempting a military coup should be charged with treason and executed.

[Oziex1]

4 hours ago, baboon said:

I doubt that money is all that much of an issue. He already has plenty. I think it is more to do with the allure of bossing people about, having the cameras following him around and having his backside kissed by a gaggle of flunkeys. 

Compared to that, why would he want to be just another retired multimillionaire tinpot General? What would he do with himself all day?

 

Agree with your post but, I think for the greedy there is never enough money, ever.

[baboon]

2 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

 

Agree with your post but, I think for the greedy there is never enough money, ever.

Sure. Money is certainly a factor. Agreed.