Reform, the only way out of political conflict for Thailand

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Reform, the only way out of political conflict for Thailand



BANGKOK: -- In this concluding part of the speech by former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai at the international conference "Thailand is Back", co-organised by the Federation of Thai Industries and The Nation at Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok, on Tuesday, he talks about the way forward for the country through a process of reform:

With Thailand back to business, there are still a number of tasks that have to be performed to ensure sustainability. The public and private sectors need to devise strategies and action plans to handle the decline in tourists and sluggish export growth. Relatively weak small and medium-sized enterprises need capital facilities and other assistance to enable them to benefit fully from the Asean Economic Community. Innovation is needed for Thai industrial production. Proper programmes to assist farmers, particularly rice farmers, have to be devised to provide them better income without excessive burden on the government budget. Income and job creation programmes for the poor have to be created in ways that are sustainable.

With the rapidly changing regional and international economic landscape, Thai businesses need support from the government to open up new markets and seize new opportunities. But for this to happen during this "special situation" that we find ourselves in, it is absolutely necessary that both the government and the private sector join hands to lay down new approaches, to build good or special relationships with countries which are potential new markets. Relevant ministries and the private sector must examine both economic and political obstacles and potential in different markets and devise different strategies and approaches to each market. Strategies and approaches to build good and special relationships with the US, Latin American countries, Central and Eastern European and Central and Western Asian countries, and African countries which have purchasing power, must be carefully crafted, must be properly focused, and must vary, based on circumstances and the special characteristics of each country. We cannot rely just on being a part of multilateral processes.

This is the time when foreign policy, international economic policy, and the strength of the private sector have to work in tandem. The "special situation" we are in must be seized as an opportunity to reposition the country in order to enhance overall competitiveness and maximise benefits.

Political roadmap important

While the economic roadmap has been spelled out and is in the process of implementation, the political roadmap is indeed equally important, if not more so, as it will bring all sectors in Thailand to share in the future we want, a future that is sustainable. Political stability is a necessity for economic growth and prosperity.

The 11 areas outlined by the Transitional Administration for reforms are therefore to be welcomed. Reform of the process of political participation, reforms for better checks and balances in government, strengthening of anti-corruption regulations, transparency in decision-making, and good governance in public and private sectors, all are critical for the success of a new Thailand. Reducing income disparity, reform of the justice system, decentralisation and wise use of resources in order not to destroy environment for the next generation are other important elements of reform. Therefore, the establishment of the National Reform Council to work on these issues will be the most significant undertaking facing a new Thailand in the months ahead.

It is an ambitious agenda. Not everything can be accomplished at once, or even in a short time span. Priorities therefore have to be set, consecutive phases in implementation have to be outlined, and continuity of the reform processes will have to be guaranteed. The composition of the National Legislative Assembly, the Cabinet, the National Reform Council, and the Constitution Drafting Assembly will be crucial to sustaining the momentum of confidence in the political roadmap. Confidence is key to economic recovery and advancement. Thus far, the general public has drawn comfort from the abundance of good intentions shown by the interim administration. This popular support and confidence has to be constantly nurtured and maintained.

Building a sustainable democracy

We in Thailand are in transition from a dysfunctional democracy to a new and sustainable, deliverable democracy. A sustainable return to normalcy will require successful reforms. For the reform process to be successful, it would appear to me that the process must be inclusive and participatory, encompassing people from all parties to the conflict and those not party to the conflict. There must be constant dialogue and exchange of views until the agreed package of reforms can be adopted. The reforms must not be a victor's reforms; it has to create a sense of ownership for the people. Ownership can only be created when people can participate, not only in the National Reform Council, but through various mechanisms and forums to enable those outside the Assembly, all over the country, to have the space to discuss, debate and exchange views, to have their voices heard, and provide them with channels to make inputs to the reform council for deliberation. The efforts that the interim administration is making on reconciliation is therefore to be commended. It is a necessary precondition for setting the right atmosphere for dialogue. It is perhaps important to note that reconciliation and reforms are part and parcel of the same process. While reconciliation can lead to successful and acceptable reforms, a successful and acceptable reform will also lead to successful reconciliation. To me reconciliation does not mean that all must agree on everything. Reconciliation means that people can appreciate and accept differences and are able to live together in harmony under agreed rules. Diversity can bring strength. We must build a new Thailand with strength coming out of diversity.

We, in Thailand, have embarked on an ambitious but necessary undertaking that will have enormous consequences not only for the Thai people, but for all our friends and partners, and the wider region as a whole.

In the aftermath of the international financial meltdown of 2008-09, the World Economic Forum issued a study in 2010 on the state of the world economy entitled, "Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild". There was an opportunity to overhaul the world's financial, trade and economic architecture in order to provide more equity, transparency and sustainability, and to lessen conflicts. As we all know, that window of opportunity, regrettably, was not fully utilised.

For us here in Thailand, in the aftermath of a series of traumatic political conflicts, the battle cry is now "Reform, Reform, Reform."

The foreign business community should view Thailand's reform agenda as a great opportunity to engage with us even more than before in order to bring about a strong Thailand with more economic opportunities for everyone. We should not let this opportunity pass us by. The head of the interim administration has indicated that well-intentioned proposals from foreign partners would be welcomed.

The international business community and foreign countries can contribute to the economic and political reform process by sharing best practices, bringing in experts to provide new ideas and experiences in areas such as prevention of corruption, checks and balances, good governance, electoral reforms, and public participation. We need to learn and study the successes and failures in many countries, many corporations, and pick and choose what are suitable for Thailand.

I am confident Thailand will emerge stronger, more resilient, more democratic, more content, with an open, vibrant and outward-looking society. But we will have to roll up our sleeves and get down to work.

Challenges remain. We do not have the luxury of time; we must make the full and best use of the window of opportunity that has opened up before us. Each of us here today, in our own ways, have talked the talk. Now, there is a clearer economic as well as political roadmap.

We invite our friends to now walk together with us on this journey to a brighter future for all.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Reform-the-only-way-out-of-political-conflict-for--30239839.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-31

[NongKhaiKid]

Reform ! just how often have we heard that and nothing happens ?

Yes the NCPO are changing many things but what happens when the politicians get control ?

Back to the future.

[selftaopath]

I didn't finish the article before I wanted to SPIT. How many times have Thai's said "we need help." Is there anything the population/business'/other can do on their own? They "need help" but at the same time claim to be the GREATEST?????

[chainarong]

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Reform ! just how often have we heard that and nothing happens ?

Yes the NCPO are changing many things but what happens when the politicians get control ?

Back to the future.

Back in time, forget the future , this whole shebang was fought on reforms, so what the F are they on about, no wounder Suthep became a Monk.

[noitom]

Thailand is back. This is a pompous arrogant Thai marketing claim.

[Robby nz]

The head of the interim administration has indicated that well-intentioned proposals from foreign partners would be welcomed.

Now wait for the ill intentioned posts from the foreigners on here who will never look forward because of their bitter and twisted hatred at seeing their lovely Yingluck disposed., Oh already happened.

Yes change for the better (reform) is desperately needed in so many areas in this country and left to politicians it would never happen as they have so many vested interests.

Lets hope it can this time be done properly taking the time needed to get it right, wont be easy as the vested interests will be in there lobbying hard.

[scorecard]

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Reform ! just how often have we heard that and nothing happens ?

Yes the NCPO are changing many things but what happens when the politicians get control ?

Back to the future.

Agree, which is why the good general is working hard to ensure the changes are valuable and locked into place and there is real policy etc., to prevent the

dinosaurs, thieves, cronies etc., from jumping back into the picture.

Does anybody believe the paymaster has really quit? I absolutely don't believe him nor his scaly thieve cronies.

Go good general, take whatever steps / policies are needed to keep them out.

[In Town]

Hilarious. The only reform needed is free and fair elections.

[scorecard]

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Hilarious. The only reform needed is free and fair elections.

No reform, we just re-start the cronyism, with a parliament which is 99% scaly no morals thieves, etc. No thanks.

[rickirs]

The Junta wants to achieve a "sustainable, deliverable democracy."

Frankly, so long as the military retains absolute power over the three branches of government, the ability to unilaterally assert martial law, recreate or overthrow the government, abrogate people's constitutional rights, and rewrite the constitution at its own volition all the while giving itself amensty for its actions, there will never be a real sustainable democracy. The only thing that will be sustainable is the absence of democracy. But as the axiom says, "Never say Never."

One thing a military high command can never control during an extended duration of control over a people is the gradual enlightenment of its own forces to the precepts of inalienable human rights and liberty from oppression. Thus, the military itself may in time spawn the elements of its own dictatoral demise. The course of human nature can be as great as the unalterable as the force of water.

[h90]

Reform ! just how often have we heard that and nothing happens ?

Yes the NCPO are changing many things but what happens when the politicians get control ?

Back to the future.

yes NCPO is changing many things to the better. But I didn't see any traces of REAL reforms. They just repair this system. Instead they should complete destroy and rebuild it. The system of the laws. Zillions of ridiculous old laws that were never canceled, resulting in the courts are blocking themself with it. The police force should be disbanded, replaced by the military and slowly rebuilt with mostly new people.

Stopping the social engineering, etc etc etc

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand is back. This is a pompous arrogant Thai marketing claim.

Thailand is back to military rule.

Rejoice!

[chotthee]

Army coup, the only way out of political conflict for Thailand.