Little confidence in Thai govt's reform moves

[webfact]

Little confidence in govt's reform moves
Hataikarn Treesuwan,
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

Process criticised for lack of direction and its "late start", people fear govt is not sincere, won't finish moves this term

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT-initiated reform process may not be completed within the term of the Pheu Thai-led administration.

Last week, key figures such as former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa turned out in force to attend a second reform session.

After 10 hours of debate among 150 participants, the session could only manage to review seven past reports on reform. It adjourned after forming 20 subcommittees to work on various issues.

The first session, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, took place in August and appointed three working groups.

However, the two sessions have had no tangible results other than naming taskforces to look into unresolved issues.

Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said he was optimistic about the outcome of the reforms. The government would definitely welcome and implement any recommendations presented to PM Yingluck in December.

Criticism of the slow progress was too harsh, he said. Consensus on reform would take time. If the reform process appeared to progress too quickly, critics would just suspect the government of introducing "rubber-stamp" solutions, he said.

Reform advocate Kramol Tongthamachart said he disagreed with a myriad of committees being set up to tackle issues. A former judge of the Constitution Court, Kramol said the prime minister should name and empower just one main committee to take charge of any changes.

"I frankly admit I don't know what I am supposed to be doing," he said, noting the confusion caused by forming of so many committees.

The People's Reform Council, organised by 65 organisations, had managed to set up hearings across the country, yet the government had nothing to boast of after more than a month, he said.

During 1996 and 1997, political reform was achieved because organisers set up a list of issues to be addressed before debating the solutions, said Kramol, but the present push for reform was an uphill battle due to the prevailing polarisation of issues, he said.

If there was no clear and equal representation of various political spectrums, the reform process was bound to fail, because each rival side would not accept the political system advanced by the other, he said.

"Leading figures have refused to join the reform process because they have concluded it would only benefit the present government," he said.

Political Development Council chairman Thirapat Serirangsan said in his opinion, the structure of a reform committee was less important than the issues it was trying to solve. He reminded the government that the push for reform may be weakened if there are no tangible results within the next three to six months.

"Due to lack of progress, the public might suspect the reform process is a government ploy."

He urged government leaders to act decisively in pushing through reforms.

In the 1997 round of reforms, Banharn, who was prime minister, played an active role, he said. But even Banharn is sceptical about success for the current round of reforms, as he is no longer at the government's helm.

Gen Ekkachai Srivilas, director of the Office of Peace and Governance at King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI), said government efforts to push for national reform and reconciliation were too late.

Yingluck Shinawatra's administration should have pushed for reforms earlier on, he said - not now, when there is fierce opposition towards the government in parliament and on the streets. He suggested that the government consider the various recommendations made by five previous reform panels initiated under the former Abhisit Vejjajiva administration, so that their work was not wasted and some reforms could progress quickly.

"There's no need for a new commission," said Ekkachai, adding that he believed neither the former Abhisit administration or the current Yingluck regime were sincere about reconciliation.

People's Empowerment Foundation director Chalida Tajaroensuk called for the government to open venues across the country in order to get and heed the advice of the public.

Banharn's aide said the former PM did not believe opposition lawmakers and government critics would be able to derail the reform process. So he pinned his hopes on Yingluck having the capacity to steer the reform process.


-- The Nation 2013-10-14

[NongKhaiKid]

" I frankly admit i don't know what I am supposed to be doing " is probably the most honest and acurate thing anyone connected to this government has ever said.

[MaxLee]

" I frankly admit i don't know what I am supposed to be doing " is probably the most honest and acurate thing anyone connected to this government has ever said.

The people complain about what they have been brainwashed to believe in too late. The majority has fallen right into the politician's instant luxury trap...

[worgeordie]

Committees,Sub Committees,Yes they will get the job done,I don't think,

Committees are set up in Thailand when they don't want to find a solution,

come to an agreement or anything else positive, as with a Committee no

one person is singled out if things go wrong.

regards Worgeordie

[Noistar]

" I frankly admit i don't know what I am supposed to be doing " is probably the most honest and acurate thing anyone connected to this government has ever said.

A cynical person might conclude that a sub-committee is merely a ploy to give the impression of progress.

20 sub-committees is unbelievable.

A strong leader would be able to force the required effect from each committee. With the current government setup I can fully understand how a committee would find it difficult to see its role.

Strong leadership, clear objectives and a sub-committee, or any body come to that, would be able to achieve something.

I am sure the results from the sub-committees are already known. All that is needed is a bit of time to give the impression that they performed their role thoroughly to get the answer. "Sign here please, Khun Sub-Committee Chairman. Leave the date blank, we'll fill that in later".

[ratcatcher]

" I frankly admit i don't know what I am supposed to be doing " is probably the most honest and acurate thing anyone connected to this government has ever said.

A cynical person might conclude that a sub-committee is merely a ploy to give the impression of progress.

20 sub-committees is unbelievable.

A strong leader would be able to force the required effect from each committee. With the current government setup I can fully understand how a committee would find it difficult to see its role.

Strong leadership, clear objectives and a sub-committee, or any body come to that, would be able to achieve something.

I am sure the results from the sub-committees are already known. All that is needed is a bit of time to give the impression that they performed their role thoroughly to get the answer. "Sign here please, Khun Sub-Committee Chairman. Leave the date blank, we'll fill that in later".

A cynical person with half a brain might conclude that a sub-committee is merely a ploy to give the impression of progress.

[A1Str8]

Nobody has ever had confidence in the government.

[Noistar]

Nobody has ever had confidence in the government.

Or is it just the mechanism of the government?

[Pib]

The first session, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, took place in August and appointed three working groups.

However, the two sessions have had no tangible results other than naming taskforces to look into unresolved issues.

And above about sums up the progress to date. Gosh, I love that "taskforces" word....makes it sound like they have declared war on unresolved issues....me thinks this is going to be one l...o...n...g war mostly of words with no real action.

[drdoom6996]

" I frankly admit i don't know what I am supposed to be doing " is probably the most honest and acurate thing anyone connected to this government has ever said.

A cynical person might conclude that a sub-committee is merely a ploy to give the impression of progress.

20 sub-committees is unbelievable.

A strong leader would be able to force the required effect from each committee. With the current government setup I can fully understand how a committee would find it difficult to see its role.

Strong leadership, clear objectives and a sub-committee, or any body come to that, would be able to achieve something.

I am sure the results from the sub-committees are already known. All that is needed is a bit of time to give the impression that they performed their role thoroughly to get the answer. "Sign here please, Khun Sub-Committee Chairman. Leave the date blank, we'll fill that in later".

Then call my Cynical!!!

[drdoom6996]

Just another headline so that people think something is actually being done about something when nothing is being done about anything.

[waza]

Just window dressing, a half hearted farce meant to appease a national and international press audience.

Edited October 14, 2013 by waza

[Benmart]

" I frankly admit i don't know what I am supposed to be doing " is probably the most honest and acurate thing anyone connected to this government has ever said.

Yes, very refreshing. Perhaps this may set a precident which others can follow.

[Benmart]

Just window dressing, a half hearted farce meant to appease a national and international press audience.

Which may last until the rocks, bottles and Molotov Cocktals start to fly. Sure hope it doesn't get to that point.

[Benmart]

Nobody has ever had confidence in the government.

An alternative might read, "The only confidence in government are those governing".

[Roadman]

"Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said he was optimistic about the outcome of the reforms. The government would definitely welcome and implement any recommendations presented to PM Yingluck in December"

Especially interesting is the "implement"idea.

So we can have all these sub committees, perhaps come up with something that might work and then the Thaksin pretty piece can get the fugitive criminal's recommendations implemented, Democracy? Sounds pretty much like dictatorship

Edited October 14, 2013 by Roadman

[Noistar]

"Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said he was optimistic about the outcome of the reforms. The government would definitely welcome and implement any recommendations presented to PM Yingluck in December"

Especially interesting is the "implement"idea.

So we can have all these sub committees, perhaps come up with something that might work and then the Thaksin pretty piece can get the fugitive criminal's recommendations implemented, Democracy? Sounds pretty much like dictatorship

I think the correct phrase is 'one party democracy'.

[Robby nz]

A committee is comprised of a group of people who individually can do nothing who then get together and after long deliberation announce that nothing can be done.

All the members of these committees and sub committees will of course be on the pay role for the duration of the life of the reform group, long may it continue.