Public participation will help create strong organic democracy

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Public participation will help create strong organic democracy
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE HAVE BEEN very enthusiastic in offering ideas for the new constitution and national reform, according to Thawilwadee Bureekul, who leads the committee on gathering opinions and public participation.

The panel chair, who is also a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), said she hoped the public forums would give rise to "organic democracy", one that is "non-toxic" for Thailand.

With a "toxic democracy", she said, a country faces problems, conflict and disputes, but with an "organic" one, the country does not get hit with toxicity because its democracy is strong enough to survive.

"Democracy also needs immunity, and its best immune system is the people," she said. "Listening to people's opinions can lead to better democracy in Thailand."

Her committee has held seven forums in different provinces since January to gather proposals from the public. She said the main topic in them was "uniting people's power for national reform", and the people's biggest wish was that the country give birth to better politicians and a better system. She added that the biggest concern was corruption, and many said they wanted it eradicated efficiently.

One method suggested was to set up a people's assembly that can scrutinise politicians, as well as give the public a better chance to participate in their country's administration.

Thawilwadee said that after closely studying people's proposals, the charter drafters decided to set up a new body to strengthen the public's role. She said the CDC has also inserted a clause to boost civil rights, which was also proposed.

On the topic of "good politicians", people suggested that politicians undergo lessons on morality and ethics, as well as introduce themselves to potential voters several months before becoming candidates. Knowing a politician beforehand would help voters make the right choice, they reasoned.

Thawilwadee said the enthusiasm that people displayed when participating in each forum showed the public wants to play a part in national reform, rather than being presented with set ideas from the authorities.

"Some people even presented a report of their proposals," the chairperson said.

When asked if holding forums in red-shirt strongholds complicated matters, she cited Udon Thani, where she said people realised that they were seen as being in opposition to the military government, but they said they wanted reconciliation to be promoted. She said strong red-shirt supporters also offered ideas on reducing inequality.

Thawilwadee also said that since gathering opinions was important, each forum followed strict regulations. For instance, participants were only allowed to speak one at a time and could only offer proposals on national reform.

She said the proposal for women to make up at least a third of local administrative councils - which is still being considered - also came from the public.

She also highlighted the significance of accountability, saying that if all members of society realise that they are responsible for their country, they will be able to participate fully in every area of reform, which would lead to sustainable peace in the future.

"This sense of accountability will lead to a civil society in which people can function on their own," she said, adding that her committee's next job was unveiling the new charter.



Public proposals

The committee on gathering public opinion held forums in the provinces of Suphan Buri, Roi Et, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani Songkhla and Surin this year to seek proposals.

The key ideas offered were:

 Solving and preventing corruption, strengthening people's rights to scrutinise corruption issues;

Promoting a stronger political institution, getting politicians to stick by standards of morality and ethics;

Ensuring that politicians keep their sources transparent, getting them to introduce themselves to voters well before becoming candidates;

 Elevating living standards and providing public with better resources;

 Promoting better civil politics;

Seting up a people's assembly;

 Eradicating widespread use of chemical toxins in farming;

 Promoting reconciliation;

 Providing better education and equality in the South.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Public-participation-will-help-create-strong-organ-30256080.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-16

[NongKhaiKid]

" People have been very enthusiastic in offering ideas... ", I'll bet, but which ones were taken on board ?

Very careful vetting no doubt as most likely the committee has been given guidelines, I actuality mean instructions , as to what is acceptable, and with past instances of AA, is anyone really going to stand up and make controversial suggestions which don't benefit the elite ?

[Langsuan Man]

How can anyone be enthusiastic about offering ideas when you don't have a clue as to whether or not your "idea" is going to run afoul of some murky law or defame someone or some institution, or both

Let's paint the house at night and then see how it looks in the morning.................

[JAG]

Ah, an Organic Democracy!

[ginjag]

" People have been very enthusiastic in offering ideas... ", I'll bet, but which ones were taken on board ?

Very careful vetting no doubt as most likely the committee has been given guidelines, I actuality mean instructions , as to what is acceptable, and with past instances of AA, is anyone really going to stand up and make controversial suggestions which don't benefit the elite ?

I love all the negative comments, here we have open participation, we have hotlines, we have public complaints opportunities, but many posters do not believe any of them function. strange we have all these avenues when a small % of posters say that there is no freedom of speech when it suits their agenda.

Not all the suggestions will be taken on board, naturally, better than the PTP idea of non governing--bash through everything without debate ??

Some of you will never be satisfied, grouse at anything instead of having an open mind and go along with developing the country slowly.

Yes that means stabilizing first fully---then elections---not many have you noticed are crying out strongly for elections now Ha Ha ha.

[Lupatria]

"toxic democracy" I wonder if it was a drug induced brain that created this term. Mine just introduced me to the idea using Cryness instead of Thainess.

"Organic democracy" it probably grows best using some Baht as fertilizer.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Lupatria

[Pib]

The Thai wife just hopes the new democracy ends the PM's every Friday night speeches on TV which delays her soap shows.

[Strangebrew]

Only in Thailand do these new terms come up Hub of useless catch phrases. Well that is another hub to your endless list of hubs Anyone care to recap on the other hubs to date? Dang I'm hubbed out.

[ginjag]

The Thai wife just hopes the new democracy ends the PM's every Friday night speeches on TV which delays her soap shows.

Exactly, here is the reason why Thailand is never to move forward. Typical thinking. To recap no new democracy until Wives etc start to listen and act responsibly. Must be a lovely life watching your wife look at all the soaps every day. OMG, get her out the house and enjoy life.

[Srikcir]

"With a "toxic democracy", she said, a country faces problems, conflict and disputes,"

Show me a country, ANY COUNTRY, that doesn't face probelms, conflict, and disputes. Such is the nature of CIVILIZATION and the need for governance. Even in a totalitarian or communist regime problems come with the territory of governance. But this author tries to excuse Thailand's deviation from a democratic society by artificially dividing democracy into good and bad democracy - a very similar message that Prayut repeats.

Thus far, Gen. Prayut has not delivered ANY form of democracy, only promises and excuses.

[toybits]

Is "Organic Democracy" fed a lot of S@#T?

[Daniel Ingalls]

........Organic Democracy?........OH!....Every home will have a chicken in a pot, and every thatched home will have a leak-less roof.......Let us be happy in this land of bounty!..........

[Daniel Ingalls]

....One wise chicken farmer said, "Don't count chickens until they hatch."

[NongKhaiKid]

" People have been very enthusiastic in offering ideas... ", I'll bet, but which ones were taken on board ?

Very careful vetting no doubt as most likely the committee has been given guidelines, I actuality mean instructions , as to what is acceptable, and with past instances of AA, is anyone really going to stand up and make controversial suggestions which don't benefit the elite ?

I love all the negative comments, here we have open participation, we have hotlines, we have public complaints opportunities, but many posters do not believe any of them function. strange we have all these avenues when a small % of posters say that there is no freedom of speech when it suits their agenda.

Not all the suggestions will be taken on board, naturally, better than the PTP idea of non governing--bash through everything without debate ??

Some of you will never be satisfied, grouse at anything instead of having an open mind and go along with developing the country slowly.

Yes that means stabilizing first fully---then elections---not many have you noticed are crying out strongly for elections now Ha Ha ha.

So part of free speech is AA, military re-education units, warnings to media, television news anchors etc that they face being summonsed if they criticise etc and there's the PM's obvious dislike, to say the least, of reporters.

Yes speech is free but be sure to say the right thing.

[candide]

Organic democracy....like organic fertilizer?

[rametindallas]

Public participation will help create strong organic democracy

I sincerely hope the public gets to participate in the approval of the new constitution.

[jerojero]

Forgot silencing all who voice opposition.

[Godders]

Yak, yak, yak. . . If the current regime will be remembered for anything it is their penchant for establishing endless talking shops to chew the cud on what constitutes Thai-style democracy.

The sooner they cut the cackle and get round to holding the promised elections, the sooner Thailand will get back on its feet, not just as a nascent democracy but also as an economic force to be reckoned with.

[toybits]

Political promises?

[tbthailand]

Puppet CDC says it is doing a great job!

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