Caretaker PM Yingluck officially proposes "Thailand Reform Council"

[webfact]

POLITICS
Caretaker PM officially proposes "Thailand Reform Council"
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday proposed setting up of "Thailand Reform Council" to reform politics after the February 2 election.

In a special TV programme, Yingluck said the post-election government will be committed to continue the works of the council.

She called all sectors of the society to join in the council in order to solve the onging political conflicts.

"My government had listened to suggestions of several sides expressed via several forums that Thailand needed to be reformed in social, economic and political dimensions," she said.

As a result, she proposed setting up of the council that would done along with the February 2 snap election.

To start the process, 2,000 people will be recruited from representatives from all profession groups and organizations throughout the country. They then select 499 members among themselves for the council.

A special committee will be formed to organise the selection process, said Yingluck, It will specify qualifications and other conditions of those who wish to be in the 499-member council.

The 11-member committee will include Supreme commander, secretary general of NESDB, chiefs of government agencies and president of Board of Trade and Thailand.

She insisted that her government will not get involved in the establishment of the council. The PM’s Office and the cabinet will only acknowledge the council not approve.

She did not say about the term of the council, earlier she said the term would be two years.


-- The Nation 2013-12-25

[TVGerry]

Mmmmkay thanks Yingluck!

We've been through your 'reconciliation' council also. It's main purpose was to bring big brother back and it ended up dividing the nation even more.

Your reform council's main purpose would be to bring big brother back. And it'll probably end up making politics even dirtier.

Quoting the Sopranos, you're King Midas in reverse. Everything you touch turns to sh#t.

[noikrit]

To Reform politics AFTER the election ..........

[Briggsy]

The cake is only so big. Both sides want it all. Shinawatra clan have had the cake for 10 or 11 of the last 13 years. Others want to have some. If the Reform Council can address this fundamental issue, there is hope for an end to the conflict.

[webfact]

PM Yingluck proposes 499-member Thailand Reform Council



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today proposed the formation of a 499-member Thailand Reform Council to begin reform the country after the February 2 election. She said this would be the best choice to bring the country back to peace and order as the council will be represented by people from all occupations.

In a nationwide broadcast before noon today, the caretaker prime minister said that her caretaker government would act only as an organizer by using the prime minister’s order to select 2,000 people from all walks of life to be the reform council.

These representatives will then sit down to choose from among themselves in respective to each occupation to form the 499 National Reform Council.

She said the National Reform Council will comprise representatives from the three armed forces, from ministry’s permanent-secretaries, from heads of government agencies, from the National Economic and Social Development Board, university rectors, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers Association and qualified people.

The reform council will be tasked to conduct studies on making proposals on constitutional amendments, economic structure improvement, people’s participation, cancellation of laws and regulations that may hinder the reforms, measures to prevent and suppression of corruptions and decentralization.

The reform council will be required to submit their studies on these proposals to the prime minister as soon as possible and publicly so that their proposals would be implemented immediately.

She said she hoped that the process should be ready within January.

Source: lishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-yingluck-proposes-499-member-thailand-reform-council/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-25

[ginjag]

AFTER THE ELECTION ????? why didn't she do this 2 years ago--because she and her party thought they could get away with anything they wished.

That was their downfall, NOW because she has picked others brains it is in her favour to make believe it is her idea, SICK

[soi41]

Peoples council. Reform council. Council seems to be the word of the month!!

Before or after the election really doesn't matter as long as the council are going to consist of old corrupt members of the existing power-elite. They are hardly going to turn into "for the benefit of the country" people overnight.

" I am going to leave my place at the trough, so someone more worthy can take my place"

Not in a million years!

[Local Drunk]

You'll have to reform the Reform Council before any reformation of the government can take place.

[PatOngo]

What Thailand needs is a "Reform,Ethics and Morals Council"

[choff56]

Mmmmkay thanks Yingluck!

We've been through your 'reconciliation' council also. It's main purpose was to bring big brother back and it ended up dividing the nation even more.

Your reform council's main purpose would be to bring big brother back. And it'll probably end up making politics even dirtier.

Quoting the Sopranos, you're King Midas in reverse. Everything you touch turns to sh#t.

Here's another one, "Fugetaboutit".

[tomross46]

Is this reform council a little like the council of wolves over the sheep, or the foxes over the chickens?

[Nickymaster]

The government is going to be in control of reform so everything should be ok. They have proven to be fair people.

The reform on reconciliation went well too, talk talk talk and..... (almost) amnesty for Thaksin!!

[Lite Beer]

Thai PM Yingluck proposes reform assembly; snap poll still on
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 25 - Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today proposed the formation of a 499-member reform assembly to work in parallel with the February 2 general election.

In a televised speech this morning, she said the government will initiate a mechanism to reform the country as requested by several quarters.

The reform assembly would not be a government forum but will be set up at the order of the prime minister and the Prime Minister’s Office, she said, explaining that 2,000 people from different professions will be recruited and shortlisted to 499 representatives.

Ms Yingluck said an 11-member committee will work out the recruitment regulations and process.

The 11 members include the supreme commander or chief of one of the three armed forces as selected by the supreme commander, two senior officials at permanent secretary level, secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, a university rector selected by a forum of rectors nationwide, the president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce or a representative, the president of the Federation of Thai Industries or a representative, the president of the Thai Bankers Association or a representative, and two scholars.

Ms Yingluck said the reform assembly will study amendments to the Constitution, improvement of the national economic structure, proposed public participation with the state sector, and revision of laws and regulations to ensure fair elections, selection of people for public positions and execution of state power.

The assembly will also thrash out proposals on suppressing corruption among politicians and state officials, decentralisation, strengthening communities and an improved budgeting system.

The reform assembly’s proposals would be submitted to the prime minister and disclosed to the public to enable execution among related government agencies.

Ms Yingluck said the new government after the February 2 election will pursue the obligations, adding that an order to set up the reform assembly will be issued before the New Year. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-12-25

[scorecard]

How come:

• The public / everyday citizens organizations are not on the membership list
• Public input / citizens organizations input not mentioned
• People from the current protests are not included
• No mention of how the permanent secretary level etc., representatives will be selected and whether there will be a process to object to any of the people nominated
• Public moderated debate (with no prior registration to attend) not mentioned
• A guarantee that their recommendations will be put to a referendum, and then a guarantee that the recommendations passed by the referendum WILL be implemented

Edited December 25, 2013 by scorecard

[Thait Spot]

Reform council?

Selected by YS and her family?

Pure fascism according to all the red yahoos on here.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mampara]

The cake is only so big. Both sides want it all. Shinawatra clan have had the cake for 10 or 11 of the last 13 years. Others want to have some. If the Reform Council can address this fundamental issue, there is hope for an end to the conflict.

The first thing we need to reform is the instant suspension of all the suspected cabinet ministers suspected in corruption, perhaps then the people may find peace and work together as a team.

[waza]

Another meaningless council and more Yingluck lies............

2011:"Thank God the most fiercely contested election in many years is finally over. Yingluck Shinawatra earlier denied that the party has a plan to grant amnesty for her elder brother, deposed former prime minister Thaksin... But then, what is the party's plan for reconciliation?" Veera Prateepchaikul

"So, our hope is that Ms Yingluck will keep her promises, that is: tackling the economic problems as her first priority, and letting a neutral party establish a path towards national reconciliation." Pattnapong Chantranontwong

2012: Thailand’s Truth for Reconciliation Commission Issues Final Report: The TRCT report’s recommendations could provide a roadmap toward meaningful and lasting reconciliation, but the execution of the recommendations is out of the commission’s hands.

"2013: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is pushing forward a reconciliation forum on September 2 in an effort to address the political divisiveness in Thailand in recent years......Some question Yingluck’s sincerity in reaching political reform, after her government largely ignored recommendations from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission in 2012."

[siampolee]

"My government had listened to suggestions of several sides expressed via several forums that Thailand needed to be reformed in social, economic and political dimensions," she said.

Another delusional statement yet again . ''My government ?'' Must have been her brother doing his ventriloquist act when those comments came out.

Ms Yingluck said the reform assembly will study amendments to the Constitution, improvement of the national economic structure, proposed public participation with the state sector, and revision of laws and regulations to ensure fair elections, selection of people for public positions and execution of state power.

Nice to see that her grand master plan includes tampering with and no doubt channeling the constitution in favour of a convicted bail jumping felon and his ilk too.

Improving the nations economic structure??

Well how are they going to achieve that particular miracle reverse the rice pledging scam scheme process ?

No doubt the just released new taxation proposals are intended to improve the nations economic structure.

''Hey folks we've shafted you and got our cash, now you will have your chance to fill the void in the nations coffers like good citizens while we claim to represent the poor and underprivileged.

P.T.P We take, you give.

The revision of the election laws,

If the P.T.P. were to be returned to power there would be a reform of of the election laws. The Thaksin political family dynasty will form its own ongoing dictatorship and that will be that. No opposition parties allowed, no dissent, as election laws and vote buying are then totally negated under a dictatorship.

One really has to wonder just how many lies the Thaksin family have told and continue to tell in their ongoing campaign to turn Thailand and its people into a Thaksin thiefdom fiefdom.

Yingluck just like her brother has more twists and blind alleys in their multiple mindsets than Hampton Court Maze.

The Thaksin clan and their brown nosing acolytes may well regard the Thai people as cabbages, however the Thai people are not so green as cabbages as current events clearly show us.

[PREM-R]

The cake is only so big. Both sides want it all. Shinawatra clan have had the cake for 10 or 11 of the last 13 years. Others want to have some. If the Reform Council can address this fundamental issue, there is hope for an end to the conflict.

The Dems/Amart had 50 years of 'cake' before Thaksin, that is why the 'people' have voted for Thaksin and his associates at every election since 2001.

[Nickymaster]

The cake is only so big. Both sides want it all. Shinawatra clan have had the cake for 10 or 11 of the last 13 years. Others want to have some. If the Reform Council can address this fundamental issue, there is hope for an end to the conflict.

The Dems/Amart had 50 years of 'cake' before Thaksin, that is why the 'people' have voted for Thaksin and his associates at every election since 2001.

And it took them 10 years to create a failed state. Thailand is in a mess. It has lost 18 spots in the corruption index (84 to 102) in 1 year. Rice industry has collapsed with up to 10 BILLION dollars lost (evaporated).

Could it be that Thaksin is exploiting the gullible for his own benefits?

[Local Drunk]

The cake is only so big. Both sides want it all. Shinawatra clan have had the cake for 10 or 11 of the last 13 years. Others want to have some. If the Reform Council can address this fundamental issue, there is hope for an end to the conflict.

The Dems/Amart had 50 years of 'cake' before Thaksin, that is why the 'people' have voted for Thaksin and his associates at every election since 2001.

And it took them 10 years to create a failed state. Thailand is in a mess. It has lost 18 spots in the corruption index (84 to 102) in 1 year. Rice industry has collapsed with up to 10 BILLION dollars lost (evaporated).

Could it be that Thaksin is exploiting the gullible for his own benefits?

Don't say that Nicky... It's not Democratic!

[Smokemachine]

A message from Thailand.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3P8oTAQCJVs&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri =% 2Fwatch% 3Fv% 3D3P8oTAQCJVs% 26feature% 3Dyoutube_gdata_player.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Smokemachine

[PREM-R]

The Dems/Amart had 50 years of 'cake' before Thaksin, that is why the 'people' have voted for Thaksin and his associates at every election since 2001.

And it took them 10 years to create a failed state. Thailand is in a mess. It has lost 18 spots in the corruption index (84 to 102) in 1 year. Rice industry has collapsed with up to 10 BILLION dollars lost (evaporated).

Could it be that Thaksin is exploiting the gullible for his own benefits?

Lucky for Dems/Amart that the corruption index only came into being in 2003, wonder what their numbers would have been like?

[Nickymaster]

A message from Thailand.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3P8oTAQCJVs&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri =% 2Fwatch% 3Fv% 3D3P8oTAQCJVs% 26feature% 3Dyoutube_gdata_player.

Thanks for sharing.

[Nickymaster]

The Dems/Amart had 50 years of 'cake' before Thaksin, that is why the 'people' have voted for Thaksin and his associates at every election since 2001.

And it took them 10 years to create a failed state. Thailand is in a mess. It has lost 18 spots in the corruption index (84 to 102) in 1 year. Rice industry has collapsed with up to 10 BILLION dollars lost (evaporated).

Could it be that Thaksin is exploiting the gullible for his own benefits?

Lucky for Dems/Amart that the corruption index only came into being in 2003, wonder what their numbers would have been like?

Your answer has no logic. That in combination with linking the Dems with the Amart makes me believe you have nothing to say about my comment.

[Siripon]

This proposal is obviously a knee-jerk reaction from Pheua Thai to the massive crowds clamouring for reform led by Kamnan Suthep.

We already have 3 findings from the Anand, Prawait and Khanit's committees work.

I suggest all major poitical parties are forced to read these reports and are then televised debating the pros and cons of each proposal.

Then each party tells the public what parts they would include in their manifesto.

Than we have an election.

[craigt3365]

A message from Thailand.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3P8oTAQCJVs&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri =% 2Fwatch% 3Fv% 3D3P8oTAQCJVs% 26feature% 3Dyoutube_gdata_player.

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, very good video. A must see for many.

[scorecard]

The cake is only so big. Both sides want it all. Shinawatra clan have had the cake for 10 or 11 of the last 13 years. Others want to have some. If the Reform Council can address this fundamental issue, there is hope for an end to the conflict.

The Dems/Amart had 50 years of 'cake' before Thaksin, that is why the 'people' have voted for Thaksin and his associates at every election since 2001.

Suggest you read a bit more relevant history.

[webfact]

Protest-hit Thai PM proposes national reform council
by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK, December 25, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's prime minister proposed a "national reform council" Wednesday to seek a way out of the political crisis gripping the kingdom, following weeks of mass street protests against her government.

Yingluck Shinawatra said the body would be set up in parallel with a February 2 general election to recommend constitutional amendments, economic and legal reforms and anti-corruption measures.

"It is now time to develop a mechanism to push forward and mobilise national reform," she said in an address to the nation.
But the plan was immediately rejected by protest leaders who want reforms before elections, in a bid to curb the political influence of the prime minister's family.

Yingluck "is not sincere about reform", said a spokesman for the protest movement, Akanat Promphan.

"The prime minister can show her responsibility and sacrifice by stepping down so that the reform process can begin," he added.

In recent weeks tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Bangkok seeking to oust Yingluck's elected government and install an unelected "people's council" in its place.

The premier has called a snap election for February 2 to try to ease tensions, but the main opposition Democrat Party -- which has not won an elected majority in about two decades -- has vowed to boycott the vote.

The Democrat-backed protesters are demanding loosely-defined reforms -- such as an end to alleged "vote buying" as well as anti-graft measures -- before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

The political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and elite against rural and poor voters loyal to Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as prime minister in a coup in 2006 and lives in self-exile.

Protesters accuse Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon turned politician, of controlling his sister's government from his home in Dubai.

Even some of Yingluck's supporters criticised the proposed selection process for the 499-member reform council, which will be supervised by 11 representatives from the military, civil service, business and other sectors.

"All 11 people are from the Thai elite and have nothing to do with the Thai people," said Thida Thavornseth, chairwoman of the "Red Shirt" political movement which is broadly loyal to Thaksin.

"This could cool the political temperature but in reality only the people want reform -- not the elite," she said, stressing the importance of the February election.

The protesters have tried to stop candidates signing up for the election by blocking the entrances to the stadium serving as a registration venue. Demonstrators tried to force their way into the building on Wednesday, triggering scuffles with police.

Election authorities have expressed confidence that candidates will be able to register in time.

But the demonstrators have vowed to keep up their campaign to disrupt the polls, with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban threatening to "shut down the country" to prevent people voting.

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election since 2001, most recently with a landslide victory under Yingluck two years ago, and analysts doubt the opposition would win the February polls if it took part.

The recent protests have left five people dead and more than 200 wounded in street violence, although tensions have abated recently.

It is the worst unrest since 2010, when more than 90 civilians were killed in a bloody military crackdown on "Red Shirt" protests under the previous Democrat Party-led government.

Yingluck's cabinet on Wednesday extended a special security law for two more months to cope with the protests.

The law, known as the Internal Security Act, gives the police additional powers to block routes, ban gatherings, carry out searches and impose a curfew, although not all the measures have been used.

At least 150,000 people joined the latest anti-Thaksin mass protest in the capital on Sunday, according to security officials. Organisers said the turnout was much higher.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-25

[scorecard]

Mmmmkay thanks Yingluck!

We've been through your 'reconciliation' council also. It's main purpose was to bring big brother back and it ended up dividing the nation even more.

Your reform council's main purpose would be to bring big brother back. And it'll probably end up making politics even dirtier.

Quoting the Sopranos, you're King Midas in reverse. Everything you touch turns to sh#t.

Good points. You can bet the yingluck 'council' will ensure amnesty is a core item.

No thanks, reform before election is the only way to get back on a workable and moral path.