Prawase Committed To Pushing For Reforms In Thailand

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Prawase committed to pushing for reforms

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

The National Reform Committee, whose head was appointed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, will continue to push for wide-ranging reform, even if the current administration is no longer in power, said committee chairman Prawase Wasi yesterday.

The committee plans to hold its first National Reform Congress on Thursday, with 2,000 participants expected.

Prawase said the committee had been given a mandate of three years and would continue to carry out and drive its reform proposals, regardless of who might be in government.

"We can expect little from politicians. No matter who wins, it will be the same," Prawase told a press conference yesterday.

Instead of worrying whether the current administration would take up the agenda proposed by the committee - or whether or not it has time to do so - Prawase suggested a national reform process might be initiated "by simply carrying out the reform".

The committee will address issues such as land reform, decentralisation, social welfare, social inclusion and more.

Prawase claimed it enjoys the support and participation of "all sectors" of society, despite being denounced or boycotted by various red-shirt leaders because it was set in motion by the prime minister after the bloody crackdown on red-shirt protesters in May last year.

"It began as just a stage drama," said Red Sunday group leader Sombat Boon-ngam-anong. "It's the tool of this government to reduce anti-government sentiment."

Sombat said although he personally respected Prawase, who was hand-picked by Abhisit, he felt the committee's work wasn't in touch with those at the top echelon of Thai society.

Sombat added that only those activists and villagers aligned with people like Prawase were taking part in the process. Red-shirts like himself were either not contacted or simply opposed the whole process.

"I might drop by and have a look but I haven't decided. Reform can only succeed if all sectors have been mobilised," he said, adding that red shirts who wanted to hold a parallel congress lacked the funding. If 10 per cent of the funds were allocated by Prawase's committee to them, an interesting outcome could be expected.

Asked about red-shirt opposition to the committee, Prawase insisted some red shirts had been consulted and some were even committee members.

"But I won't tell you who they are because it would be divisive," he added.

Prawase reiterated however that the congress he calls the Social Summit, can only succeed if all sectors are involved and have a clear consensus.

"The state alone cannot solve the problem," he stressed.

Four major issues will be tackled during the congress.

On the issue of decentralisation, more budget was needed for local administrations, from the current 26 per cent to 35 per cent.

On land reform, where 10 per cent of the population owns 90 per cent of the land, progressive land tax must be introduced - and the issue of 1,000 farmers under legal prosecution due to land ownership conflict with the state must be sorted out.

"Land reform problems have been around for three to four decades and no solution has been made," said Revadee Prasertsuk, a member of the committee.

About 12 million households dependent on coastal living and threatened by pollution and tourism also needed to be protected. Social welfare must be expanded beyond those in the formal sector, and arts and culture must have a role in the activities of all ministries.

People with disabilities must also be given equal access to news, information and to public space and utilities, Revadee said.

-- The Nation 2011-03-22