Reform forum 'must be unbiased'

[webfact]

POLITICAL REFORM
Reform forum 'must be unbiased'
Prapasri Osathanon
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrug
The Nation


Banharn Silapa-archa, one of the key coordinators of the government's national reform effort, meets Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday. He was at the Democrat Party headquarters to invite the opposition leader to join the reform process

Gothom comes up with a four-level structure, advises all sides to join in

BANGKOK: -- THE POLITICAL reform forum should be free of any political intervention and not biased in any way towards any party, a noted peace campaigner who was invited to join the forum said yesterday.

Gothom Arya, a lecturer at Mahidol University's Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, said that to ensure success, the process should involve dialogue, deliberation for results and decision-making based on proper consensus.

"Political reform is aimed at bringing benefits and happiness to society as a whole in the future. The work needs time to complete, possibly three years," Gothom said.

"Reform must be free from interference by any party. It must be free from any bias towards any party."

He also suggested that reform measures must be given a four-level structure.

The first level should comprise of a political reform council consisting of political leaders and representatives from political parties, the public and private sector, mass media as well as civil society to provide guidelines for the process.

The second level should consist of a committee set up by the council to study reform proposals that had been presented by different committees appointed by the Abhisit Vejjajiva government and the Parliament's King Prajadhipok Institute.

The third level should comprise a network of groups and panels working on political reform, while the last should consist of reform volunteers who get to hold discussions on the matter with people in the provinces.

Dr Prawase Wasi, a respected social critic, said yesterday that he supported the formation of a People Assembly [to] Reform Thailand by 45 groups from civil society. He said this new reform forum should be independent from the government's forum as they both had the same goal - reforming politics in Thailand.

"I believe there will be no conflict between the two groups," he said. "It's good that the government started this [reform] thing; it has attracted interest from society. Don't think that the government is insincere. People who disagree with the government may set up their own council. The work will be easier if different social elements come together to offer input and take action."

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana called on civil-society groups to take part in the government's forum.

"We want participation from all elements in society. But it's impossible for the forum to allow everyone to voice their opinions. That way, we will never come to a conclusion. They should send their representatives."

In a related development, opposition leader Abhisit yesterday turned down an invitation from ex-PM Banharn Silapa-archa, who is a government representative, to participate in the reform forum.

They met at the Democrat Party's headquarters yesterday.

Abhisit has accused the government of not being sincere about reforming politics, alleging it is far too focused on pushing through constitutional changes and an amnesty law, which have renewed conflict.

Earlier yesterday, Abhisit said the government should focus on reform proposals that have been put forward by different panels, instead of starting anew. He called on the government to heed suggestions from different groups about reforming politics.


-- The Nation 2013-09-17

[sustento]

[sustento]

"We want participation from all elements in society. But it's impossible for the forum to allow everyone to voice their opinions"

There you go. BS as usual...

[NongKhaiKid]

Forum must be unbiased and I'm sure we are all quite satisfied that it will be.

[MaxLee]

"Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana":

"We want participation from all elements in society. But it's impossible for the forum to allow everyone to voice their opinions. That way, we will never come to a conclusion. They should send their representatives." people to shut the hell up

Face saving b***** cows

Edited September 17, 2013 by MaxLee

[Tatsujin]

"We want participation from all elements in society. But it's impossible for the forum to allow everyone to voice their opinions. That way, we will never come to a conclusion. They should send their representatives."

We want to give the illusion of free speech and democracy, but actually we're just going to do whatever the hell we want to regardless of what anyone else thinks because we know best (and can continue reaming you for years to come if we can pacify you a little bit).

[worgeordie]

All this talking is going to be a waste of time and hot air,

as no matter what the final result,the Government has

already decided what the outcome is going to be and

nothing is going to change its mind.

regards Worgeordie

[NeverSure]

If bullshit was money, Thailand would be crisscrossed with high speed rail systems.

[Chrisswe]

Then the question is : how can it be possible with an Military constitution !!??

[EvilDrSomkid]

Banharn 'wants' 'unbiased' 'forum'.

[webfact]

Democrats turn down invitation to join political reform forum

BANGKOK, 17 September 2013 (NNT) - Democrat Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has firmly declined to join the political reform forum recently initiated by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra while reiterating to the Government that it shows sincerity by withdrawing the amnesty bill and the constitution amendment proposal.

Mr. Abhisit unveiled his stance after a formal invitation was extended to him by the Prime Minister's envoy, Senior Adviser of Chart Thai Pattana Party, Banhan Silpa-Archa, and several of the party's core members.

Upon turning down the invitation, Mr. Abhisit said the forum addresses none of the ongoing issues, and the Government's impartiality is still questionable.

He identified the constitution amendment and amnesty bill as the roots of the conflict, saying that by abandoning them would truly benefit the nation and mark the beginning of the ideal reform for all. Only when that happens would the Democrats be willing to join the forum, Mr. Abhisit stressed.

In response to the Democrat Party leader's reply, Mr. Banharn promised to relay the comment to the Government. However, he expressed his opinion that, in order to instill peace in the Kingdom, all sides should try to understand one another.


-- NNT 2013-09-17

[h90]

All this talking is going to be a waste of time and hot air,

as no matter what the final result,the Government has

already decided what the outcome is going to be and

nothing is going to change its mind.

regards Worgeordie

If the government would have decided it wouldn't be the worst situation, but most probably the man in Dubai has decided everything.

[Valentine]

Then the question is : how can it be possible with an Military constitution !!??

Can you quote anything which is unfair in the current constitution? After all it is based on the 1997 "people's constitution". One can easily argue the clause put in to absolve the military is unfair but that is only one aspect which they do with every coup.

[bigbamboo]

Why not let PT write their version of a new constitution and let the people vote on whether they want to adopt it or keep the current one?

The politicians have too many vested interests. Let the people decide..... that's democracy.

[hammered]

Why not let PT write their version of a new constitution and let the people vote on whether they want to adopt it or keep the current one?

The politicians have too many vested interests. Let the people decide..... that's democracy.

When the 2007 constitution was put to the people they were told if you don't like it elect people who can change/replace it. That turned out to be a bit of a fibber. So yes, let the elected representatives of the people write their version and then see how it flies vis-a-vis the coup government one in a referendum. The problem is that everyone knows the coup government constitution will get slaughtered in a referendum and that does not suit many of the powerful vested interests in the country.

However, that is democracy. And if the elected representatives overstep what the people want, the people can vote them out.

Anyway it seems that there is a general agreement between PT and the powerful (minus the democrat party who will no doubt be whipping up turmoil to appear relevant to the powerful and also some weird fascist loons) over what way things will go. After all they all want to get back to the business of business and that works best in a nice big business group hug by all (minus the sacrificed dems probably).

[khunken]

Why not let PT write their version of a new constitution and let the people vote on whether they want to adopt it or keep the current one?

The politicians have too many vested interests. Let the people decide..... that's democracy.

When the 2007 constitution was put to the people they were told if you don't like it elect people who can change/replace it. That turned out to be a bit of a fibber. So yes, let the elected representatives of the people write their version and then see how it flies vis-a-vis the coup government one in a referendum. The problem is that everyone knows the coup government constitution will get slaughtered in a referendum and that does not suit many of the powerful vested interests in the country.

However, that is democracy. And if the elected representatives overstep what the people want, the people can vote them out.

Anyway it seems that there is a general agreement between PT and the powerful (minus the democrat party who will no doubt be whipping up turmoil to appear relevant to the powerful and also some weird fascist loons) over what way things will go. After all they all want to get back to the business of business and that works best in a nice big business group hug by all (minus the sacrificed dems probably).

Total rubbish.

1.The 2007 constitution was voted on (a first) and accepted by the Thai people.

2. The military at the time said that if it is rejected they will instal a previous constitution.

3. The constitutional court decided that if PTP wanted to write a new constitution, they need a referendum first; alternately they can make amendments which then should be put to a referendum.

4. Thaksin decided that his party might fail to win a referendum for a complete rewrite so they would take the amendment route.

5. IMO a serious flaw in democracy is being unable to toss out a government that is hell bent on abolishing any checks and balances - having to wait for the next election is not good enough.

If the government really wants reform it knows what it has to do to get all parties on board. Unfortunately the puppet master will not allow that as it interferes with his amnesty ambitions.