Thai reform plan ready in 2015: NRC chief

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Reform plan ready in 2015: NRC chief
The Nation

'MORALITY CONFEDERATION' FOR POLITICIANS PROPOSED; CHARTER MAY NOT NEED PLEBISCITE

BANGKOK: -- THE REFORM process may take 10 years to complete but the National Reform Council will finish its mission of laying the groundwork for the changes this year, NRC chairman Dr Thienchay Kiranandana said yesterday.

Thienchay said the charter draft might not be subject to a public referendum, unless there are many controversial issues and other factors involved.

The drawback to holding a plebiscite is that the general election would be delayed, and if the charter draft were rejected, there would be more repercussions.

"The decision must be made carefully, but it is the government that has the authority to decide and not the NRC," he said.

Thienchay rated the NRC's overall performance as satisfactory, saying the agency took some time to settle its methodology for its work and for making recommendations to the Constitution Drafting Committee.

The NRC is taking time to work on major reforms and in the meantime it will also come up with other minor reforms or changes that could be accomplished rapidly. Thienchay vowed he would get the public to understand reforms so they accept them, thus community participation in the process was crucial.

"The country plunged into crises because people ignored and permitted corruption, thinking it was not their business. This time we must make people think their participation and involvement is crucial to the success of reform," Thienchay said.

The NRC will meet from January 19-21 to brainstorm the outlining of "Thailand's vision and strategies". Several agencies will offer their input on crafting plans to reach an ultimate goal to be compiled by the NRC, he said.

The NRC is proposing the establishment of a "National Confederation of Morality" with responsibility for setting standards, ethics and good governance of public figures and state agencies.

The agency would collect personal information of candidates and check their ethics before elections.

"The agency would not decide who can or cannot run in the election but would disclose their personal information for the public to decide if they should vote for anyone with a tainted record," he said.

If the CDC agreed to the proposal, the establishment of this agency should be indicated in the charter. "We worry that the agency may be sued for disclosing personal information, but we believe this will prevent corruption before it can start," he said, adding that the agency would help open the eyes of the people.

Thienchay said the NRC had not thought about reforming the military, but "it is possible and interesting".

Referring to media reform, the NRC president said the council would not focus on media ethics and codes of conduct. He said he had personal concerns about monopoly in the media industry.

"The media business has developed into public businesses listed on the stock market. It is worrisome because freedom of expression could be interfered with by monopoly."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reform-plan-ready-in-2015-NRC-chief-30251047.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-01

[FangFerang]

"THE REFORM process may take 10 years to complete"

"Thienchay said the charter draft might not be subject to a public referendum"

How VERY Chinese.

To be fair, I must add that he also said people are unaware of corruption. That's right. He said Thais are ignorant.

"The agency would collect personal information of candidates and check their ethics before elections."

Well, we have the ultimate control now. Who decides this? Who makes the decision? How VERY Chinese.