Anand, Prawase Spearhead Thai Civil Reform

[webfact]

Anand, Prawase spearhead civil reform

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun and social critic Prawase Wasi yesterday agreed to lead a national reform effort involving civil society.

They said the focus would be on creating a mechanism that could help ease the problem of social inequality.

Anand will head a commit?tee responsible for mapping out strategies for social reform, while Prawase will head a reform council and sit on the Anand panel, the former pre?mier said.

The two respected figures met Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday at Baan Phitsanulok, the PM's official residence. They were informed of their nominations by civil society to head the reform. After the 90-minute meeting, Anand and Prawase called a press con?ference to discuss their new mission.

"This is not a government project, but it is in line with gov?ernment plans for national rec?onciliation," Anand told reporters.

"Civil society will create a mechanism to be implemented by the government. This mech?anism will be free from govern?ment domination or influence; otherwise, it would fail to win the public trust. The prime min?ister understands this principle and did not protest it."

Prawase said the prime min?ister had a duty to support the reform committee and imple?ment its proposals.

He told yesterday's press briefing that the project "com?bines social and intellectual forces" and added that civil soci?ety would work with academics in coming up with reform strategies.

"This reform committee has nothing to do with the nation?al reconciliation plan. Reconciliation is a thing of the past; reform is a thing of the future," Prawase said.

He expressed hopes that reform and social justice would lead to national unity and a sense of patriotism.

"When society lacks justice, there is serious conflict. Reform helps bring about justice and reduces social inequality," Prawase said.

He described the country's political crisis as an "open win?dow of opportunity" to bring about social reform.

"We must turn this common goal into a force. Thai society has never had a common goal," Prawase said.

Anand said he expected the reform committee's proposed short-term measures could be implemented immediately even though social reform was in fact a never-ending process.

"Society is not stationary, and the social-reform process will never end or be completed," he said.

Prawase said the prime min?ister remarked even with this government not in power in the future, the reform mechanism should continue functioning.

"In four months, there may be measures to help reduce social inequality. But some complicated issues require a longer time, such as reforming the justice system, because it involves many agencies, such as the police," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-19

[SomTumTiger]

Anand is one of the most respected Thais ever, in a leadership role. Red shirt leaders don't like him? Great!!!! Means that he must be good. I hope that they can get some good ideas to help the rural poor. And giving them money is not the answer. Give a man a fish, teach a man to fish.....etc

[hammered]

According to the well paid whore in chief spokeperson of Thaksinista enterprises the vainglorious Jatuporn Anand is an evil being who hurt the country and iots people. Of course considering the vast quantities of cash paid to him he sees fit to ignore the thousands of murders committed on the watch of his master and employer and any other indiscretions.

Still what would a person expect form such hypocrites

[chainarong]

Freedom of speech on ALL subjects, no UNI degree, to become a member of parliment, introduce that, along with a far higher standard of education, and U are on your way to a better style of Democrocy, thats what you are looking for isn't it. That should occupy everyone for the next hundered years, cause on the Thai scale , thats about the speed of reform. Oh heck I forgot, up the wages 100% for anyone 60kms radius out from BKK. Dreaming again???

[rabo]

According to the well paid whore in chief spokeperson of Thaksinista enterprises the vainglorious Jatuporn Anand is an evil being who hurt the country and iots people. Of course considering the vast quantities of cash paid to him he sees fit to ignore the thousands of murders committed on the watch of his master and employer and any other indiscretions.

Still what would a person expect form such hypocrites

Lies and distortions to control the masses for self empowerment, least that's what I expect.

Apologies, I have bolded part of your comment for focus.

[way2muchcoffee]

Freedom of speech on ALL subjects, no UNI degree, to become a member of parliment, introduce that, along with a far higher standard of education, and U are on your way to a better style of Democrocy, thats what you are looking for isn't it. That should occupy everyone for the next hundered years, cause on the Thai scale , thats about the speed of reform. Oh heck I forgot, up the wages 100% for anyone 60kms radius out from BKK. Dreaming again???

You don't need a university degree to be a member of parliament. You do, however, need one to be in the cabinet.

[hammered]

Freedom of speech on ALL subjects, no UNI degree, to become a member of parliment, introduce that, along with a far higher standard of education, and U are on your way to a better style of Democrocy, thats what you are looking for isn't it. That should occupy everyone for the next hundered years, cause on the Thai scale , thats about the speed of reform. Oh heck I forgot, up the wages 100% for anyone 60kms radius out from BKK. Dreaming again???

You don't need a university degree to be a member of parliament. You do, however, need one to be in the cabinet.

That was an improvement the 2007 constitution made over 1997. Heads explode in redland that the 2007 one was more poor friendly than 1997 in many respects.

[LevelHead]

The simplest reform.

Reform the army.

The army has always allowed the corrupt elite in Bangkok rule the country by hook or by crook (and recently again by using live bullets).

The army must be totally reformed and moved out of Bangkok and surrounding area's.

It must never again be a political tool, to hold coups or support illegitimate governments by using force.

Until the army is reformed corruption will never stop in Thailand, the army are totally corrupt and supported by the most corrupt elites - it is total corruption.

PTP should run on their election campaign on total army reform, of course, they never could (even though most Thai people would happily vote for army reform) as they would be sniper shot or even if they won there would be a coup.

[selftaopath]

Talk Talk Talk Talk without any ACTION ought to be Thailand's declared motto. About the only thing that changes here is the degree of corruption. And it typically rises; NEVER has or will decrease. No wonder so many Thai people don't engage - what 's the point = no voice or representation. Thailand is ONLY for the rich and powerful.