Why is Yingluck trying to reinvent the wheel?

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Why is Yingluck trying to reinvent the wheel?
The Nation

The prime minister insists on a new reconciliation forum when a similar body already exists and has made recommendations; she must now say and do something useful to justify the new initiative

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wants people to join the reconciliation bandwagon, and it's hard to turn down the invitation without appearing to be heartless. After all, reconciliation is desperately needed and will be good for the nation. Naturally, the opposition Democrat Party and members of the People's Alliance for Democracy are accusing the premier of doing the right thing but for the wrong reasons.

But the reasons do not have to be "wrong" if Yingluck can clear the air and demonstrate why she is doing this and how her government plans to build on it, especially since recommendations have already been made.

Of course, inviting well-known international figures like Nobel Peace Prize-winner Maarti Ahtisaari and reconciliation expert Priscilla Hayner could be inspiring, since these people have much to offer in terms of experience.

But essentially, this is Thailand's problem, and the final solution must come from within. In fact, an independent council - the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), headed by Dr Kanit Na Nakhon - has already issued a detailed report on the ongoing political crisis and provided a set of recommendations for reconciliation.

Is Yingluck trying to reinvent the wheel, since the TRCT has already carried out the same task she now proposes? If so, how is her wheel going to be better, or more acceptable to all sides, when she and her party are hardly neutral in the conflict?

It might be more pragmatic, time-saving and substantive - although a slight loss of face - for the government go back to the TRCT report and use it as a blueprint for the upcoming event, so at least the invited foreign dignitaries have something to go by.

The prime minister will also have to explain to the public and the invited dignitaries why her government has not taken up any of the TRCT's recommendations.

The government might not like what the TRCT report said. Nevertheless, the TRCT is the only body that received a mandate from both the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the opposition Democrats. It was initially set up by the Abhisit government and was anointed by Prime Minister Yingluck shortly after she came into office.

It would be a mistake and a missed opportunity not to take advantage of the existing recommendations when there is so little else where the two parties can claim joint ownership.

The government has said it will simply host the proposed event and provide facilitation. But the prime minister should not equate this to another vow of silence. She will have to say something sensible, something that can heal the wounds, because all sides have suffered and all sides are demanding justice. That is the serious challenge she must face up to.

The prime minister cannot hide behind foreign figures thinking that their shadow will somehow defend her from the moral and legal obligation she has to this country.

Again, many of the invited figures are inspirational people, and for our sake, let's leave it at that. Let's hope they can inspire all of us to do the right thing.


-- The Nation 2013-08-24

[Halion]

Since when has this nation ever learnt from experience.

[LuckyLew]

Her wheel will be better because it will have 4 corners thus making it more stable

[coobah666]

I think the wheel fell off long ago

[patayayaya]

yingluck is hot

[worgeordie]

she must not like the recommendations from TRCT, as its independent,

better set up her own, which she can control.get a few yes men on board

regards Worgeordie

[bigbamboo]

Why is she trying to re invent the wheel?

Maybe because she doesn't understand how the original concept works.

Or perhaps in order for Thailand to become it's Asian hub?

Edited August 24, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Ricardo]

Why ... perhaps only following orders, from Dubai !

[Scott]

One particularly nonsensical post has been deleted.

[ChrisY1]

she must not like the recommendations from TRCT, as its independent,

better set up her own, which she can control.get a few yes men on board

regards Worgeordie

Has she even read the TRCT recommendations??

I doubt she even knows it exists......

[Pimay1]

The prime minister cannot hide behind foreign figures thinking that their shadow will somehow defend her from the moral and legal obligation she has to this country.

Judging from her past performance I think she can and she will.

[NongKhaiKid]

I can't imagine YL having a logical thought far less inventing or re-inventing anything.

[Ianatlarge]

Surprisingly, I agree with the recommendations of "The Nation". Does Thailand need another report, maybe yes, maybe no, however, a starting point would be the original report. I suspect that this call for a second "reconciliation forum" is a ploy for time.

[culicine]

she must not like the recommendations from TRCT, as its independent,

better set up her own, which she can control.get a few yes men on board

regards Worgeordie

Has she even read the TRCT recommendations??

I doubt she even knows it exists......

I'd say her party knows the contents and didn't and their recommendations didn't benefit particular people. Once the premise that 'politicians' are victims and are actually the perpetrators, then we might get somewhere.

[NongKhaiKid]

she must not like the recommendations from TRCT, as its independent,

better set up her own, which she can control.get a few yes men on board

regards Worgeordie

Has she even read the TRCT recommendations??

I doubt she even knows it exists......

She may think it's yet another committee she chairs but never attends.

[ballpoint]

She is very successfully reinventing the wheel falling off, the loose screw and the rusty hinge.

[Pimay1]

IMHO Yingluck is the only PM in the world that can rival Edith Bunker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkue1ns4XvU

[joeydeacon]

she must not like the recommendations from TRCT, as its independent,

better set up her own, which she can control.get a few yes men on board

regards Worgeordie

Has she even read the TRCT recommendations??

I doubt she even knows it exists......

Not unless they have done a comic book version of it.

[Thai at Heart]

What a weird article.

We don't need no international perspective on the issues in Thailand. Thailand for Thais.

Thailand is an inch from implementing some laws that could split the country asunder. They are the "hub/wheel" of coups, seem incapable of writing a constitution that works, and are being run by a bloke convicted years ago for corruption, and the most successful political organisation is the army.

I await the speeches. Maybe they will point out some uncomfortable truths.

[SOTIRIOS]

..........for absolute control of course.........

.....they are taking over everything ........nobody seems to be noticing......

[klauskunkel]

Why is Yingluck trying to reinvent the wheel?

Oh dear, you don't start with the complicated stuff!

First you have to learn how to make fire, then tools from flint stone and then the wheel! You learn stuff like that in school, sweetie.

Well, I suppose you could always go and buy a wheel copy at Patpong, if it's really urgent.

[DeepInTheForest]

One particularly nonsensical post has been deleted.

Note the use of the word "particularly". If we are honest, a fair number of other posts contribute almost nothing in the way of insightful criticism or analysis-- a not uncommon occurrence when the topic of Yingluck arises in this august forum, for whatever reason.

Edited August 24, 2013 by DeepInTheForest

[moe666]

Just another side show to hide the on going plunder of Thailand by the PTP and Big T, keep there simple minds occupied by the complicated

[johnlandy]

yingluck is hot

Sez who?

[Baerboxer]

Because she has been told too. Get your own committee, add a few "foreign experts" for credibility and good photo ops. Then, issue the report as you want it - not the version some pesky independent committee might produce.

The populace have already swallowed some 'whoppers" so this should be easy to "sell".

[Thai at Heart]

Actually, why reinvent the wheel, just import a constitution off the shelf from any country with a monarch?

[Emdog]

sometimes ya just gotta grease the wheels

[givenall]

Since when has this nation ever learnt from experience.

I guess she is trying to be a magician. Distracting everyone while trying to use amnesty to bring brother back

Nothing is real or honest anymore with this government

[hellodolly]

What a weird article.

We don't need no international perspective on the issues in Thailand. Thailand for Thais.

Thailand is an inch from implementing some laws that could split the country asunder. They are the "hub/wheel" of coups, seem incapable of writing a constitution that works, and are being run by a bloke convicted years ago for corruption, and the most successful political organisation is the army.

I await the speeches. Maybe they will point out some uncomfortable truths.

I believe that the Thais in power have the answers to bring about reunification in Thailand.

The problem is it would be a unification of all the people under a democratic style government. Not a reunification of every one under a Thaksin directive.

One particularly nonsensical post has been deleted.

Note the use of the word "particularly". If we are honest, a fair number of other posts contribute almost nothing in the way of insightful criticism or analysis-- a not uncommon occurrence when the topic of Yingluck arises in this august forum, for whatever reason.

When it comes to Yingluck it is hard to not use a nonsensical post considering what she gives us to work with.

Perhaps a new set of speech writers and no contact with her brother would help.

[Scott]

One post removed. Please stay on topic.