Prayuth invites public to join reform council

[Lite Beer]

Prayuth invites public to join reform council
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked Thai people to join the National Reform Council.

"Thailand's national reform in the second phase [of the NCPO's work] on 11 or more issues and needs cooperation from all sectors of society. Until each group crystallises their ideas, it is difficult to lead to reform in the second phase and implementation in the third phase," he said, adding that the NCPO was open for people to submit ideas.

"People must apply to be members of the reform council so they can help resolve issues. Those interested should hurry up and get their supporters ready and collect necessary information so once registration opens, they can apply right away," he said in his weekly TV show last night.

He also asked Thais and the international community to not criticise or oppose the NCPO's moves too soon, but instead help it achieve success.

He said his deputy ACM Prajin Juntong, in charge of economic matters, had welcomed a meeting with the US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney, who said bilateral ties would continue smoothly.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry's permanent-secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow officially visited China late last week and acknowledged Beijing's confidence in Thailand playing a prominent role in Asean, he said.

As for the economy, the junta chief said the budget for 2015 fiscal year has been set at Bt2.575 trillion. He added that the NCPO was focusing on the importance of resolving people's problems, reducing production cost in the agricultural sector, developing water resources, suppressing corruption and having all related agencies have a say in the budget in order to avoid redundancies.

In addition, 12 areas have been marked out as special economic zones and five of them in border areas will need to undergo urgent development. The areas in this case are Mae Sot, Mukdahan, Sa Kaew, Trat and Sadao.

As for the railway project, he said the NCPO was still in the process of deciding whether it should link with other countries, especially China. Also, the width of the track and its ability to carry trains at the speed of 160 to 180 kilometres per hour would also be taken into account. The existing railway lines in the country are merely a metre wide, allowing for trains to only go at 90km per hour.

In a bid to solve social problems, NCPO will soon be summoning youths, who create social problems in a bid to get them to change their behaviour, he said.

"The government has wasted a lot of money [to solve social problems] but we haven't been able to remove these problems permanently. For example, 'Vant Boys' [illegal street motorcycle racers] or brawling students, I'd like to warn these people that if they haven't realised what damage they cause to the country, they must face the law strictly," he said.

"[Problematic teens] should change themselves quickly and find a job or complete their studies. The seniors [students or teenagers] who guide their juniors in the wrong way will be summoned and [will have to] be made to understand soon."

He said social problems such as drugs, crime, gambling and quarrelling might be caused by the lack of family care if parents work too hard or spend too little time with their children, letting them fall under the influence of low-quality media.

As for social order and regulating public transport, as well as the use of footpaths, it means relocating vendors' stalls. Prayuth said the NCPO would try to make changes in a way that least affects the poor. In the meantime, they should follow the law, as breaking the law only allows crooked officers to extort money from them.

He said Bt300 million had been allocated for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to hire another 700 officers to crack down on corruption.

Prayuth said the Bt30 universal healthcare scheme was still in place and would be improved. The NCPO would also spend time considering social welfare, as it did not want to waste money on unnecessary populist policies.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-invites-public-to-join-reform-council-30238919.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-19

[Chris Lawrence]

So what youth will they be summoning? The Ferrari kid?

It sounds as though they are talking down to the Thai youth in this report, in so much as they have made up their minds why there is trouble with this group in society. And if its not the kids , its a lack of family care? And if its not that it is low quality social media?

'My way or the Highway Prayuth' has a lot to learn about being a responsible social supporter. He needs to hear what is happening by the target group, rather than target the group to change.

"In a bid to solve social problems, NCPO will soon be summoning youths, who create social problems in a bid to get them to change their behaviour, he said.

"The government has wasted a lot of money [to solve social problems] but we haven't been able to remove these problems permanently. For example, 'Vant Boys' [illegal street motorcycle racers] or brawling students, I'd like to warn these people that if they haven't realised what damage they cause to the country, they must face the law strictly," he said.

"[Problematic teens] should change themselves quickly and find a job or complete their studies. The seniors [students or teenagers] who guide their juniors in the wrong way will be summoned and [will have to] be made to understand soon."

He said social problems such as drugs, crime, gambling and quarrelling might be caused by the lack of family care if parents work too hard or spend too little time with their children, letting them fall under the influence of low-quality media."

[Thailand]

Our somdum lady is preparing her application right now.

As for the railways, simply tell other countries they need to comply with Thailand's requirements, I'm sure they will.

Edited July 18, 2014 by Thailand

[Skywalker69]

Our somdum lady is preparing her application right now.

As for the railways, simply tell other countries they need to comply with Thailand's requirements, I'm sure they will.

Our somdum lady

?????

[Thailand]

Our somdum lady is preparing her application right now.

As for the railways, simply tell other countries they need to comply with Thailand's requirements, I'm sure they will.

Our somdum lady

?????

?

[noitom]

The Thai military needs to take action to detain, arrest, and prosecute obvious cases of homicide, manslaughter and drunk or drug driving and harm to others. The Thai military lets hi so violators continue to avoid prosecution, it will keep lowering the bar for justice and equality as well as enforced law and order. That's where reform begins. Nothing will change until you set example and raise the standard of Thai behavior. Eliminate preferential treatment before the law and demonstrate it.

[Oziex1]

The Thai military needs to take action to detain, arrest, and prosecute obvious cases of homicide, manslaughter and drunk or drug driving and harm to others. The Thai military lets hi so violators continue to avoid prosecution, it will keep lowering the bar for justice and equality as well as enforced law and order. That's where reform begins. Nothing will change until you set example and raise the standard of Thai behavior. Eliminate preferential treatment before the law and demonstrate it.

Agreed, The untouchables must go down, it would be a shot in the arm for Thai society. Necessary therapy, give people some hope that honesty is the best policy.

[noitom]

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The Thai military needs to take action to detain, arrest, and prosecute obvious cases of homicide, manslaughter and drunk or drug driving and harm to others. The Thai military lets hi so violators continue to avoid prosecution, it will keep lowering the bar for justice and equality as well as enforced law and order. That's where reform begins. Nothing will change until you set example and raise the standard of Thai behavior. Eliminate preferential treatment before the law and demonstrate it.

Agreed, The untouchables must go down, it would be a shot in the arm for Thai society. Necessary therapy, give people some hope that honesty is the best policy.

Exactly!! Examples and action have to show that you can't beat the system because of who you are. Everyone is equal before the law. No more under the radar, payoffs, nods, whispers, back slaps, Thai "signals" and pecking order arrangements. Thai military dictatorship has to show the way with arrests, trials, and convictions, jail terms. Seeing is believing.

[ginjag]

Some of these pro ex government posters are now saying strongly--"they want to do this--they should do that-why not the other--they will never be satisfied.

Why didn't they suggest all these actions during the 3 years of PTP ??? 2 months into the clean-up and look what turns up-the remainder of the apologists demanding action on every subject available. unbelievable. Impossible for the army to do all in a short period of time, Give them 3 years and then compare the action taken between the so called democratic government, and the clean up army.

Lets all suggest, and hope we can get some improvements, not just fire blanks at the army.

[Emster23]

"all sectors of society". Hmmm who will represent the bar girls? Also, only well off or homeless would be able to respond quickly: "Honey, I'm gonna go be on the council as soon as I finish planting this rice field. Maybe you can get the kids to finish it off? General says he needs me mak mak".

[pchansmorn]

What about getting feedback from the Expats that are trying to live here, have retired and made this country there home.

[ginjag]

What about getting feedback from the Expats that are trying to live here, have retired and made this country there home.

Not sure but I have an idea someone tunes in to our comments. Many things the army are dealing with must have come from us, as they were never done previously.

[NeilSA1]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The Thai military needs to take action to detain, arrest, and prosecute obvious cases of homicide, manslaughter and drunk or drug driving and harm to others. The Thai military lets hi so violators continue to avoid prosecution, it will keep lowering the bar for justice and equality as well as enforced law and order. That's where reform begins. Nothing will change until you set example and raise the standard of Thai behavior. Eliminate preferential treatment before the law and demonstrate it.

Agreed, The untouchables must go down, it would be a shot in the arm for Thai society. Necessary therapy, give people some hope that honesty is the best policy.

Exactly!! Examples and action have to show that you can't beat the system because of who you are. Everyone is equal before the law. No more under the radar, payoffs, nods, whispers, back slaps, Thai "signals" and pecking order arrangements. Thai military dictatorship has to show the way with arrests, trials, and convictions, jail terms. Seeing is believing.

Absolutely. In other words - "do not behave as the previous government/s did"

I think the Junta is genuinely trying to enforce law and order, therefore I don't understand your comment "The Thai military lets hi so violators continue to avoid prosecution"

[NeilSA1]

Some of these pro ex government posters are now saying strongly--"they want to do this--they should do that-why not the other--they will never be satisfied.

Why didn't they suggest all these actions during the 3 years of PTP ??? 2 months into the clean-up and look what turns up-the remainder of the apologists demanding action on every subject available. unbelievable. Impossible for the army to do all in a short period of time, Give them 3 years and then compare the action taken between the so called democratic government, and the clean up army.

Lets all suggest, and hope we can get some improvements, not just fire blanks at the army.

Well said. Sorry tried to 'like' but ...

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There was a problem storing your reputation vote.

[FangFerang]

In the news, and this is supposed to be a news forum, I was happy to see that the Friday announcements are also being broadcast with English subtitles. I think the military will succeed in many fronts and fail in others. In the BP, a story was floated to give amnesty to all boat operators who had been using slave labor. Sorry, not fair and fairly hideous. The Nation floated a story about the small vendors buying lottery tickets are all having their quotas halted. Since the big three distributors have military owners, at least in part, that also seems a bit uneven handed. Everyone is rather overjoyed at changes to taxis, street vendors and bad drivers. It's a mixed bag.

If you cherry pick arguments, either side, your insecurity is showing. I am a centrist on purpose.

Ciao baby.

[chainarong]

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"all sectors of society". Hmmm who will represent the bar girls? Also, only well off or homeless would be able to respond quickly: "Honey, I'm gonna go be on the council as soon as I finish planting this rice field. Maybe you can get the kids to finish it off? General says he needs me mak mak".

Anyone from TV been nominated???

[Roadman]

The Thai military needs to take action to detain, arrest, and prosecute obvious cases of homicide, manslaughter and drunk or drug driving and harm to others. The Thai military lets hi so violators continue to avoid prosecution, it will keep lowering the bar for justice and equality as well as enforced law and order. That's where reform begins. Nothing will change until you set example and raise the standard of Thai behavior. Eliminate preferential treatment before the law and demonstrate it.

Totally disagree. It is not their role. Military Courts roles are defined in the Martial Law Act and the crimes you are describing come under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Courts. There is a clear separation between the roles of the two courts and the Junta is clearly following those rules. Judicial reform which the Junta has said will happen should be on the agenda of the interim government once non Army legal minds have been brought on board.