First meeting of political reform forum kicks off

[Lite Beer]

First meeting of political reform forum kicks off
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Aug 25--- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday chaired the first meeting of the political reform forum which was attended by some 70 prominent figures and representatives from several sectors at Government House.

However, the government’s rivals including People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Democrat Party and a group of 40 senators did not show up at the meeting held at Santi Maitree Hall, Government House.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms Yingluck, who doubles as the defence minister, thanked all attendees for joining the meeting in order that they could share and exchange their experiences to help find a way out of the country’s political impasse.

The prime minister said that it was a pity that today’s event was incomplete as representatives from the Democrat Party and the PAD did not join the meeting, adding that the forum always welcomed them if they would like to attend later.

Ms Yingluck said that the process of exchanging ideas and discussion is open without specific conceptual frameworks, explaining the government works as the forum’s coordinator only.

She would like all attendees to look forward and try to find out a solution on how to make Thailand move forward in the future under the democratic system with His Majesty the King as the head of state, as well as how to make Thai people have better standard of living.

Meanwhile, the premier affirmed that today’s political reform forum is unrelated to a coming forum “Uniting for the Future, Learning From Each Other’s Experience” that world leaders, including former British prime minister Tony Blair, will attend on September 2.

Among the figures attending the meeting were three former prime ministers-- Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Somchai Wongsawat and Banharn Silpa-archa-- and ex-Parliament president Uthai Pimchaichon, former Democrat Party leader Bhichai Rattakul, as well as Matuphum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratkalin. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-08-25

[tomross46]

Most meeting, without a published agenda, are usually, only for PR purposes. Look at all the work we are doing, we are great look at me, I am the leader.

[BrianCR]

British prime minister Tony Blair will advise on "how I and my party nearly bankrupted a country without the use of corruption! Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will then tell how she and her party are trying to do it by using corruption!

Just thought that I'd help the Thai knockers a bit! LOL

[LuckyLew]

I have a simple solution to the political impasse

Stop trying to bring your brother home

Request interpol arrest him

Stop letting you friends and colleagues pillage from the Thai people

That should do it for starters

[scorecard]

Most meeting, without a published agenda, are usually, only for PR purposes. Look at all the work we are doing, we are great look at me, I am the leader. alt=clap2.gif width=31 height=25> alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

Surrounded by the respected elder quests chavalit and banharn, both a solid part

of the foundations which ultimately generated the current mess.

Both always with their own personal agendas to the fore.

Neither of them ever interested in the development of Thailand nor policies

and actions to raise the quality of life of the masses.

A total farce.

Edited August 25, 2013 by scorecard

[rametindallas]

When you can't get anyone from the opposition to join your forum but you continue the forum with your supporters only, you are not sincere about finding reconciliation. I'm waiting for just one of the celebrity attendees to point out that any solutions coming from this forum will be one-sided and unjust. I'm not holding my breath as it is considered impolite to disagree with one's host.

The Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Thailand, a bipartisan group appointed by Abhisit and endorsed by Ms. Yingluck, offered many realistic solutions. If this new forum had any integrity, it would use the TRCT report as a base for continued discussion.

As others have said, this forum is a farce and a smokescreen because, at the end of the day, this government will do what Dr. Thaksin directs it to do regardless of the outcome of this forum.

[Thai at Heart]

Strange move from the democrats.

[Robby nz]

Strange move from the democrats.

Why so strange?

They have given their reasons for non attendance and these reasons look to be quite valid.

Going ahead with the amnesty bill which they have admitted has nothing to do with reconciliation and will only benefit their own people and cause trouble and stand in the way of what this forum is supposed to achieve is only to appease their red supporters.

Dropping this bill and putting the constitution changes on hold as a sign of good faith and good intentions would go a long way to doing what they say they want to do.

Pushing these bills through at the same time as holding this forum really makes a farce of it.

[webfact]

UPDATE:
POLITICS
Pat on back for reform
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation


Participants say forum is move in right direction but warn govt must move quickly towards roadmap

BANGKOK: -- The political reform forum kicked off yesterday with a sense of cautious optimism despite the conspicuous refusal by the opposition Democrat Party to attend along with most other anti-government forces. After hours of meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proposed the creation of three reform committees to look into political, economic and social reforms.

No name has been announced yet but the PM's Office Ministry will host future activities, with another meeting to be held in a month's time. Letters of invitation will be sent to opposition parties again.

Yingluck cited seven key factors as major concerns at the end of the meeting. They are: Strengthening democracy, economic disparity, transparency and accountability, justice and basic rights, democratic participation, creating a climate of trust and forgiveness, and public interests.

Sixty-five high-profile people from politics, academia, business and people's movements attended the five-hour forum, but were given less than 10 minutes each to speak.

Many lauded the forum yesterday, which was initiated by the prime minister, but also acknowledged difficulties as most anti-government forces have effectively boycotted the efforts.

"We genuinely want to see a roadmap [for the future]," said PM Yingluck after the first two hours of the meeting. "This forum is open to all sides." Yingluck said she seeks to jointly come up with a vision for the future of Thai politics and society and will take all previous studies and recommendations made by various groups and commissions into consideration and quickly implement those that have broad-based consensus.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said: "Thais have no time to fight with one another any longer, but we only talk about it and end up fighting again."

Former premier Banharn Silapa-Archa advised that those who were not present should be invited again to join the next round and suggested that both sides "take a step back".

Wuthisarn Tanchai, deputy

secretary-general of King Prajadhipok's Institute, said Thai society is plagued by distrust, but added the forum marked a good beginning as there's now a venue to talk about problems.

Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Anuthin Charnvirakul, the only leader from an opposition party to join the forum, said: "We will oppose when the government does something wrong. As for the political reform forum, I think what the government is doing is right. It's not for the success of the government but for all Thais."

Kittipong Kittayarak, permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, warned that the challenge lies in how the forum can win the trust of all sides and to not let it be dominated by any side. "Those who did not join today should not be regarded as having missed the train."

Former coup-leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who ousted then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the elder brother of Yingluck, in 2006 and is now leader of the Matuphum Party, said he is happy to be a part of the process and insisted that Thai democracy must remain "Thai-style" and not a facsimile of other nations' systems. Sonthi added that poverty and a lack of quality education hamper Thai democracy.

Chairperson of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship Thida Thavornsaet Tojirakarn warned that the effort will not bear fruit if people have no part in the process. She said the challenge is how to materialise equality amongst citizens, particularly political equality, and added that the root of political conflict is the conflict between the conservative elite and those who fight for democracy.

The only scathing view at the forum came from Teerapat Serirangsan, chairman of the Political Development Council, who warned: "If in three months there's nothing, this forum is finished."

The only senior figure linked to the opposition Democrat Party was former leader and former House Speaker Bhichai Rattakul, who joined in his personal capacity. Bhichai said he wanted to see a roadmap for Thailand's future and expressed confidence that conflicts could be reduced if people could envision a common future.

He added that Malaysia used to be behind Thailand but it has a long-term roadmap and is now ahead of the Kingdom.

Former president of the Constitutional Court, Kamol Thongthammachart, also supported the idea of coming up with a roadmap.


-- The Nation 2013-08-26

[NongKhaiKid]

One of the more interesting comments to come from Day 1 was from former coup leader Gen. Sonthi who said democracy had to be " Thai style " and not based on any other model.

If democracy is to be Thai style then all these forums etc are a waste of time and money as nothing will be achieved. We can see Thai democracy is action just now with one man making the decisions and telling his puppets what to do, they in turn tell the public and opposition is not tolerated. In fact it may well be against " national security ".

Of course Sonthi means democracy beyond Thaksin, I presume, but Thailand's ruling elite, no matter their colour, will never allow anything like real democracy as they will never lessen their grip on complete control.

[Thait Spot]

How many Shinawatra family in that photo?

[scorecard]

Strange move from the democrats.

Why so strange?

They have given their reasons for non attendance and these reasons look to be quite valid.

Going ahead with the amnesty bill which they have admitted has nothing to do with reconciliation and will only benefit their own people and cause trouble and stand in the way of what this forum is supposed to achieve is only to appease their red supporters.

Dropping this bill and putting the constitution changes on hold as a sign of good faith and good intentions would go a long way to doing what they say they want to do.

Pushing these bills through at the same time as holding this forum really makes a farce of it.

Agree.

But I still have strong feelings that this forum has another intent - to deliberately generate discussion and comments along a planned direction, so that

the puppet and her mob can say they now have specific support to rewrite the constitution.

If that happens they will write a constitution for their benefit, destroy the checks and balances, and not much more.

[Baerboxer]

How can any credibility be given to a meeting organized by a PM/DM who refuses, and has done so for several months, to answer questions posed by the Ombudsman regarding the illegal actions of her FM, who also happens to be her cousin.

How can anyone take PTP seriously? Let's talk about reform, democracy, transparency and justice. Of course this will apply to the people as we decide, not us mentality. They can say whatever they want, but without the accompanying actions it is all meaningless.

[Nickymaster]

Why are they not calling it a Amnesty-For-Thaksin forum?

[Pimay1]

Why are they not calling it a Amnesty-For-Thaksin forum?

Have you ever know this government to tell the truth on anything?