Thai govt policy statement - Reform, a just society 'top goals'

[webfact]

POLICY STATEMENT
Reform, a just society 'top goals'
THE NATION

Prayuth wants an atmosphere suited for reconciliation, but warns of huge challenges ahead

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayuth Chan-ocha says in his policy statement, due to be announced in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) tomorrow, that his government's major goals are to create a society where there is reform and justice, with no corruption.

"We now have to create an atmosphere and environment suitable for unity and reconciliation that we lacked in the past. This is not easy to achieve. There are still many problems and obstacles ahead," he says in the statement.

He also says his government will maintain financial and monetary discipline, and will not resort to budgetary overspending in order to win support from the public.

Unlike an elected administration consisting of politicians who always think about getting re-elected, his government has no need for populist policies, he says.

Regarding unity within his government, Prayuth gives an assurance that his Cabinet members will work together smoothly and have no need to compete against one another, unlike in an administration consisting of ministers from different coalition parties.

The prime minister will represent his Cabinet in declaring the government's policies before the NLA tomorrow. The session will be televised live, Deputy Premier Wissanu Kreangam said yesterday.

Copies of the 23-page policy statement have been distributed to NLA members in preparation for the policy announcement. A copy of the document was also obtained by The Nation.

The government's policy statement covers 11 areas -protection of the monarchy, national security and foreign affairs, education, economy, public health, the fight against corruption, and laws and judicial procedure.

Protecting and upholding the monarchy is the first item covered in the policy statement. Prayuth says it is his government's "utmost important duty" to protect the monarchy, which he says has been threatened and insulted by people with ill intentions.

In order to promote unity and reconciliation in the country, the government plans to get rid of the major causes that led to conflict and division. These include economic inequality, power abuse, corruption and unfair practices.

"The government promises to use our perseverance, tolerance, knowledge, honesty and integrity in an attempt to overcome all the problems and obstacles so that we can achieve the desired goals," he says.

"I have repeated several times about doing this first, seriously and immediately," the prime minister says.

As the selection of National Reform Council (NRC) members will not be completed until early next month, the government will start working on reform immediately in certain areas that require urgent action.

These include education, quality of life, social inequality, low agricultural prices, and corruption, according to Prayuth's policy statement.

"This is to prevent loss of opportunities and further damage to the people involved," he says in the statement.

The premier also calls for cooperation from the public and the NLA to help the government achieve its goals.

"We urge you to cooperate and help us, share your views and thoughts, and take action so that our country will see a return of peace and beauty, and move forward in a stable way," Prayuth says in concluding his policy statement.

On economic affairs, the government's policy is broken down in the policy statement into three phases, as it aims for continuity and sustainability of economic expansion.

This comes as the country still encounters insufficient tax collection, mounting public debts, energy wastefulness, and a water-shortage problem in the agricultural sector.

In the short term, the government will escalate disbursement of the fiscal 2014 investment budget and press ahead with economic-stimulus measures for the fiscal 2015 budget, as it seeks to spur the launch of potential projects and balance farmers' incomes and production costs.

As for the next stage, the government will focus more on directing monetary and fiscal policy in the same direction, to help accelerate the recovery of the economy.

In the long run, the government aims to develop all transportation modes - water, air, rail and road - to support the nation's logistics, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, and enhance the digital economy, the policy statement says.

On education, the government will change the budget-allocation policy, from providing a per-head subsidy to schools and universities, to new criteria focused on suitability to match the areas in which institutions are located and the make-up of students in each area.

The government will also promote the decentralisation of education management to local administrative bodies - and further to communities, private operators or members of the general public, while giving them greater independence through granting them authority as legal entities.

As to its policy on Asean, the government will put foreign policy into the security context, enhancing Thailand's in building up the Asean Political and Security Community, which will become effective by the end of next year.

Security covers both conventional and non-traditional threats, the government says in the statement. It will, therefore, build up the country's military capacity for sovereignty and national-interest protection, as well as joining other nations in tackling disaster relief.

The government has a policy for the deep South, but will continue applying the grand strategy granted years ago by His Majesty the King - that is, to understand, reach out to and develop areas and people in the predominantly Muslim region.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reform-a-just-society-top-goals-30243025.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-11

[Tatsujin]

They need to tackle one more thing . . . the xenophobia which is rampant here . . .

[jacky54]

Does this mean the Red Bull heir will be going to prison, the Merc killer with him, or even recently sentenced PAD leader will do some of his 20 years? no thought not. Until this country treats hi so the same as lo so before the courts there will never be a just society here and Thais know that. If the rich continue to get away with murder and corruption there can never be 'reconciliation'.

Edited September 11, 2014 by jacky54

[chainarong]

Decentralising the education system down to local community level , private companies and members of the community funding, is a logistical nightmare and paves the way for corruption on a large scale , one wonders with these reforms that they are genuine reforms or something entirely different , having experienced the Junta period , I can see that ideology coming back once again, under the disguise of reforms, these reforms should be put on the table and everyone has an input into their application, not the selected few, this looks shonky and far more thought and advice should be seeked before reforms are implemented..

[Snig27]

Nothing about giving Thai people a say in their own future, encouraging the nation to intellectually advance. Sounds like a reactionary paternal document created by people who have spent their whole life in an unreal privileged and closeted world - one stuck in a bygone era.

A blueprint for disaster as millions eventually react against the implied totalitarian social engineering.

[Rykbanlor]

Notice how he hammers on about how much better this cabinet will function over a civilian government - ministers won't have to compete and re-election won't be seen as important so they will achieve more. While this is obviously because they are going to relinquish power back to the people next year, it still sounds kinda like a sell as well. We're only here for one year, so we don;t need to waste resources campaigning, or, look how much better our military govt is, why don't we hang around a bit longer. And I'm sure the polls would reflect that the majority of Thai people would be behind them

[djjamie]

One has to appreciate what the Junta are trying to achieve here. It will be a long battle that is only magnified by what they inherited. The PTP have made the Junta's job so much harder.

Through reform the Junta are allowing the Thai people to finally have a say in their own future. Not like the seedy, shadowy days of the PTP where the future was dictated by anyone, but the people. Remember the water management scheme? Remember the amnesty? Remember the 2 trillion baht loan? People didn't want any of that, BUT that was an inconvenient reality the PTP brush over.

As for the educational reform. These are wonderful ideas in bringing the country up to an international level of education.

Of course there will be some bitter and twisted folk that see a negative connotation in the narrative describing the bright future of Thailand that is simply not there. They are the ones that defend the PTP while turning their back on the very farmers that brought the PTP to power.

They are the ones I pity. I use their narrative to teach my children the difference between right and wrong.

May peace and reconciliation be with you. Even if you don't want it!

[Eric Loh]

Noble goals and will not come about if the government insist on top down approach.

[heybruce]

"Protecting and upholding the monarchy is the first item covered in the policy statement. Prayuth says it is his government's "utmost important duty" to protect the monarchy, which he says has been threatened and insulted by people with ill intentions."

These words tell you the most important thing about the junta. When considering where the junta is leading the country and wondering what motivates them, always remember what their first priority is.

[Baerboxer]

Nothing about giving Thai people a say in their own future, encouraging the nation to intellectually advance. Sounds like a reactionary paternal document created by people who have spent their whole life in an unreal privileged and closeted world - one stuck in a bygone era.

A blueprint for disaster as millions eventually react against the implied totalitarian social engineering.

"In order to promote unity and reconciliation in the country, the government plans to get rid of the major causes that led to conflict and division. These include economic inequality, power abuse, corruption and unfair practices."

Did you miss this bit?

Unlike the Thaksin proxies - vote for us, then trust us, don't ask questions (you'll be told lies if you do) and keep your gobs shut. Really gave the people a say didn't he?

Have you studied what models other more educationally developed countries use in their education structures? Maybe you should.

PTP - the champions of democracy who were against electing provincial governors, only those they appoint should be allowed - viva state/PTP control.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Baerboxer

[Baerboxer]

Noble goals and will not come about if the government insist on top down approach.

Yes, top down approached don't work. Just ask Thaksin.

[fab4]

One has to appreciate what the Junta are trying to achieve here. It will be a long battle that is only magnified by what they inherited. The PTP have made the Junta's job so much harder.

Through reform the Junta are allowing the Thai people to finally have a say in their own future. Not like the seedy, shadowy days of the PTP where the future was dictated by anyone, but the people. Remember the water management scheme? Remember the amnesty? Remember the 2 trillion baht loan? People didn't want any of that, BUT that was an inconvenient reality the PTP brush over.

As for the educational reform. These are wonderful ideas in bringing the country up to an international level of education.

Of course there will be some bitter and twisted folk that see a negative connotation in the narrative describing the bright future of Thailand that is simply not there. They are the ones that defend the PTP while turning their back on the very farmers that brought the PTP to power.

They are the ones I pity. I use their narrative to teach my children the difference between right and wrong.

May peace and reconciliation be with you. Even if you don't want it!

Through reform the Junta are allowing the Thai people to finally have a say in their own future.

Of course they are, jaimie, of course they are. That's why the NRC members are all going to be hand picked by the Junta.

Remember the water management scheme? Remember the amnesty? Remember the 2 trillion baht loan? People didn't want any of that,

So now the NCPO are going ahead with the water management scheme as planned by the former government, the Senate stopped the Amnesty Bill as part of the checks and balances already in place in the Thai democratic system and the junta are also going ahead with 2.4 trillion baht of Infrastructure projects with no breakdown on how it is to be funded and including high speed rail (that everybody decried before when the Yingluck Government proposed it

http://asiancorrespondent.com/125684/even-veera-is-puzzled-by-the-lack-of-criticism-over-the-juntas-high-speed-rail-plans/)

They are the ones I pity. I use their narrative to teach my children the difference between right and wrong.

I pity your children if you are using the abrogation of democracy as an example of what is "right".

[Eric Loh]

Noble goals and will not come about if the government insist on top down approach.

Yes, top down approached don't work. Just ask Thaksin.

Yes it certainly didn't work for Thaksin when you have the oppositions in Parliment, independent agencies who are anti and courts who are skewed in their verdicts. Top down works better without dissenting voices in NLA and general public and throw in martial law and censorship.

[rickirs]

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Nothing about giving Thai people a say in their own future, encouraging the nation to intellectually advance. Sounds like a reactionary paternal document created by people who have spent their whole life in an unreal privileged and closeted world - one stuck in a bygone era.

A blueprint for disaster as millions eventually react against the implied totalitarian social engineering.

"In order to promote unity and reconciliation in the country, the government plans to get rid of the major causes that led to conflict and division. These include economic inequality, power abuse, corruption and unfair practices."

Did you miss this bit?

Unlike the Thaksin proxies - vote for us, then trust us, don't ask questions (you'll be told lies if you do) and keep your gobs shut. Really gave the people a say didn't he?

Have you studied what models other more educationally developed countries use in their education structures? Maybe you should.

PTP - the champions of democracy alt=facepalm.gif> who were against electing provincial governors, only those they appoint should be allowed - viva state/PTP control.

And if the Thai majority dislikes what the Junta-led govrnment is doing, as they could have with the PTP-led government, can they collectively remove the Junta from absolute power? Or will dissenting Thais be demonized and used as an excuse for unlimted martial law to secure the Junta's power? Up until now all the Thai people have is General Prayuth and his proxies' promise of "Trust Me - don't ask questions, don't exhibit conflict."

[Thai at Heart]

They have one year.

Until they identify the defamation law as being the major root cause of corruption, I am not holdling my breath for them to achieve anything.

In fact, if you think about it, defamation goes beyond just that, and then comes right back to be the biggest problem faced by thailand. Face, or accepting criticism, or accepting that someone may know better, and rooting out incompetence and failure.

In which case, this goes to the absolute root of the problem of education, which is the biggest issue facing Thailand's future.

So getting rid of the defamation law will prevent, eventually poor performance in schools.

Change one law, and instantly, the future of Thailand may be changed for the better.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[fobuff]

good old martial law under a military junta... everything is good.....