A clear blueprint is necessary for reform to be successful, Kobsak says
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH,
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION


Kobsak Pootrakool

BANGKOK: -- NATIONAL REFORM should become clearer in the near future as ideas among members of the reform committee are getting synchronised, National Reform Council (NRC) member Kobsak Pootrakool said.

"The reform process is like building a house. We need a good blueprint and a good contractor to build a good house, which is what Thailand plans to do," he said.

Kobsak is the secretary of NRC's ad hoc committee on "vision towards Thailand's future", which was set up in November after some NRC members pointed out that national development is being affected.

Some NRC members, including Kobsak, panel chairman Suvit Maecinsee and Silaporn Buasai, also asked how the country could move forward and develop without a clear vision.

By recognising the problems the country faces, the ad hoc panel has come up with a "blueprint of change" focusing on 18 areas of reform.

Kobsak, who is also a businessman, said he realises that reform will take time, but the most important matter is to have a clear plan for the future, which does not just concern this generation but the following generations as well.

"We cannot compete with our neighbouring countries, like Malaysia. It would be like a marathon, because judging by their gross domestic product, they are moving faster and are well ahead of us," he explained.

Furthermore, he said, in the early stages, everybody in the NRC had their own ideas of reform based on their expertise.

However, these reforms could not be implemented efficiently within the short period that the NRC has been allowed.

Four months later, the picture of national reform is becoming apparent with each proposal being synchronised for maximum benefit.

"It is necessary to take into consideration all 18 areas of reform, like how to create a new generation of high-quality people, how to make Thailand a centre of excellence as well as giving a peaceful society back to the citizens," he said.

Kobsak explained that reforming state organisations would be effective with decentralisation, especially in terms of budget allocation and power delegation.

"For instance, the police bureau, which is now controlled by the central government. Many in the NRC are now studying to see if it can be localised, like the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department] or NYPD [New York Police Department]," he said.

The business expert also said that budget reallocation should be more focused and the taxation system has to be reformed in a move to reduce inequality.

"For instance, only 0.7 per cent of the 7 per cent value-added tax goes to the locals, the rest is kept by the central government - which promotes inequality in society," he said.

Kobsak reasoned that solving these issues would also strengthen local administrations.

He also pointed out that national reform is not something that can be accomplished in a short period of time, but the important issue is laying down clear blueprints for the country and for future generations to have better lives.

When asked how reformers can be sure their plans will continue once a new government is put in place, Kobsak said the reforms could be implemented as organic laws.

"This new Constitution can be considered an innovation in Thailand's legal area, because it comprises the topic of reform and enforcing law, which might be key to addressing these questions," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/A-clear-blueprint-is-necessary-for-reform-to-be-su-30253435.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-05

reform? Sure. How about installing a constitution and maintaining it and not throwing it away when convenient. How about civilian police and courts?

Look if you haven't figured it out yet then you never will It is what was being said here all along You need accountability,something a Thai can never do it isn't in there DNA. It is easier to pass the blame when things go wrong, or if a law hurts them making a profit ignore the law. Have you ever heard a Thai say oh I'm sorry I made a mistake? It is always I was given wrong information or it was Somchai who made mistake, not me.

The problem is that as soon as any group comes up with a decent blueprint, for reform and a better democratic process those who have vested interests elsewhere politically, business wise and filial do all they can to make that blueprint a blurprint.

Edited February 5, 201511 yr by siampolee

Taiwan went from autocratic rule to a democracy with one phone call from the Carter White House. It took time and there were now coups since.

The article looks frivolous and glossy as it fails to address and nitty gritty details; monopolies held by prominent, poor education, rampant corruption. Yes the police are a big problem, but it is a well known fact that they are political competitors to those who have usurped power.

At this rate, "reform" will take a very long time.

Every bloody government in the world is going to reform something whether it is palatable with the peasants is another thing (not In Oz) , this is why the complete reform package here in Thailand needs to be done right first up and so Kobsak is correct , the problem is the time line , Thaksin's reforms just caused chaos because they never listened to the academic's calling for more review time , so the majority of the changes were bulldozed through, of course in favour of one particular group in mind ,with double speak , vague comments , subtle hints and muddying the waters at media stops the direction Thailand is taking another Coup is likely by 2021.

Taiwan went from autocratic rule to a democracy with one phone call from the Carter White House. It took time and there were now coups since.

The article looks frivolous and glossy as it fails to address and nitty gritty details; monopolies held by prominent, poor education, rampant corruption. Yes the police are a big problem, but it is a well known fact that they are political competitors to those who have usurped power.

At this rate, "reform" will take a very long time.

There is no point having good police if the judiciary is as corrupt.

So far i have seen barely a word of the reform needed of the judiciary.

Taiwan went from autocratic rule to a democracy with one phone call from the Carter White House. It took time and there were now coups since.

The article looks frivolous and glossy as it fails to address and nitty gritty details; monopolies held by prominent, poor education, rampant corruption. Yes the police are a big problem, but it is a well known fact that they are political competitors to those who have usurped power.

At this rate, "reform" will take a very long time.

There is no point having good police if the judiciary is as corrupt.

So far i have seen barely a word of the reform needed of the judiciary.

Well put. The Thai judiciary is far too heavily influenced by politics. It lacks independence .

How about civilian leadership that the military reports to? How about a vision for the country's principles? How about specific articulation 0f law and order and equal before the law regardless of societal rank or standing? How about free elections where ordinary Thais get to choose who runs the country and make laws? How about checks and balances?

It's not blueprints these days, the meaningless jargon is 'road map'

Thainess, another call for a blueprint, a master plan and road map which always sounds great then ... !

"..and a good contractor to build a good house"

This guy? ;

Prayuth said, “Teachers assign difficult homework to students."

"The other day, I had a look at homework of a por neung student (first-year elementary school)."

"I must say that I didn’t even know how to do it."

Why do i seriously doubt that there is any member of the red party invited in making this blue print ?

Och well i sure its all fair and square

Taiwan went from autocratic rule to a democracy with one phone call from the Carter White House. It took time and there were now coups since.

The article looks frivolous and glossy as it fails to address and nitty gritty details; monopolies held by prominent, poor education, rampant corruption. Yes the police are a big problem, but it is a well known fact that they are political competitors to those who have usurped power.

At this rate, "reform" will take a very long time.

There is no point having good police if the judiciary is as corrupt.

So far i have seen barely a word of the reform needed of the judiciary.

Exactamundo.

Steal 500 baht from a company get 2 years. Steal 5bn, become a pooyai.

He looks like a nice young boy, i wonder if he has ever done any work.

"We need a good blueprint and a good contractor to build a good house"

Having gotten an illegal building permit, what does it matter on what kind of house the NRC builds?

''To make Thailand a centre of excellence ''. Well; the very best of luck with that one chum....a country where a Plumber doesn't know about rubber washers, and electrician doesn't know what an earth wire is and builders proclaim...''but we can only do it one way ''.

There is only one area of excellence and that is they know better than anyone on the Planet how to effect a scam !

!