Premier Prayut 'not thinking' about politicians joining new reform panel

[webfact]

Premier Prayut 'not thinking' about politicians joining new reform panel
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he has not considered inviting politicians to join a new reform panel.

He also dismissed media reports quoting a source from the Centre for Reconciliation and Reform (CRR) saying that it planned to invite politicians to become members of the new panel.

"Do not believe the source. I am the one who will establish the reform panel, so ask me. But at this stage, I have not thought about it,'' Prayut said.

Prayut said CRR had invited some politicians from the two major camps for talks because he wanted to know what politicians think of the country's situation and how they can help bring about peace and order. He also wanted to know if they are ready for a general election as planned in the government's road map.

He said the media should ask politicians about what they will do to bring about reform. "If they cannot answer your questions, then it means they cannot achieve it. I have allowed them to speak about any and all issues. I do not stop or block them," he said.

After a meeting with the CRR, ex-education minister Chaturon Chaisang said the agency had asked him about four issues: administration and economic solutions; charter drafting and reform; solutions to conflicts; and reconciliation.

He said he told them that a public referendum had to be conducted and asked for a concrete solution if the charter draft did not pass the plebiscite.

"If this charter draft passes the plebiscite and goes into effect, it will create more conflicts because it is undemocratic and there will be no stability. The plebiscite will just end up being a waste of money," he said.

He added that an undemocratic constitution will not bring about sustainable peace and the military will take over the control of the country again. He said the Prayut government's national reform efforts did not dig deep enough into what is causing the national divide. "In order to achieve sustainable peace, the government must accept different opinions,'' he said.

Chaturon also denied that he had been invited to join a new reform panel, but refused to say whether he would join if invited.

Meanwhile, red-shirt leader Nuttawut Saikuar yesterday called on Prayut to urgently ease the economic slump and step down once the road map is completed.

Nuttawut was speaking after a meeting with the Centre for Reconciliation and Reform. He said he had asked the centre to pass on his message to the premier that the government must take prompt action to tackle the economic slowdown. He also dismissed the government's report that the economy was picking up.

"Low-income people are facing financial difficulties. Their income has dropped, but their expenses have remained the same. This situation is more worrisome than it was during the 1997 crisis," he said.

He also urged Prayut to stay in power only until his "road map to democracy" has been completed.

Nuttawut also slammed some members of the National Reform Council, who have said that they would vote down the draft charter in order to let the Prayut government stay in power longer. "They are not sincere and are insulting the citizens," he said.

adding that the drafters should also adjust the charter so it is in line with democratic principles and hold a plebiscite before calling a general election.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Premier-Prayut-not-thinking-about-politicians-join-30262654.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-19

[Bannum opinions]

"...... national reform efforts did not dig deep enough into what is causing the national divide. "In order to achieve sustainable peace, the government must accept different opinions,'' he said"

In todays' political climate of non-inclusiveness, people feel at risk, as they fear their core identities are being threatened. The above quote gets at that issue directly.

Some of that occurs right here. It throws people together who didn’t previously have to hear from one another. Some have built echo chambers around themselves, only really listening to their own kind of people, reminding them why all those other cats are just doing it all wrong.

On top of all that, since we can’t see the facial expressions of the people with whom we interact, it is all too easy for some to make snap judgments and even hurl insults at people. This is the basis of "shoot the messenger" we see so often.

Harmonious debate both here and in the political sphere at large, ain’t gonna happen when one side of the political divide arrogantly disrespects the other, talking smack about their mamas, metaphorically speaking.

Reconciliation in such a climate?....Good luck with that.......Elections that are fake-make-believe, will be recognized immediately. Polls for both a constitutional referendum and national elections will become more of a ceremony against this backdrop of non-inclusiveness, as highlighted in the quote above.

On the one hand, they trot out Jatuporn giving some indication of inclusiveness with one of the most influential politicians in the country...Arguably, one who along with Yingluck, could influence voting patterns to a greater degree than anyone else, including the current leadership, and certainly Abhisit. Than in their next breath, this initiative is diminished, if this article can be believed in its' entirety.

Reminds me of the thing about 'shooting oneself in the foot'.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Bannum opinions

[JOC]

Here we go again:

It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!!

[JOC]

>>"Do not believe the source. I am the one who will establish the reform panel, so ask me. But at this stage, I have not thought about it,'' Prayut said.<<

Reminds me of our old friend Louis XIV : " I am the state"

[Robby nz]

In a story about politicians they could have used a photo of a politician instead of the clown Jutaporn who described himself as a political activist and managed through his own stupidity to get himself booted out as an MP.

[bamnutsak]

Here we go again:

It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!!

Too late.

Not sure why he feels the need to speak so much when he clearly has no plans if the Kingdom does not bend to his will.

[oneday]

"...Premier Prayut 'not thinking'..."

Yep, I think that says it all.

[NongKhaiKid]

"...Premier Prayut 'not thinking'..."

Yep, I think that says it all.

Exactly, on so many issues that would make the perfect headline and the only one necessary.

[Fat Haggis]

What I find astonishing in reading the OP is the mans arrogance, all of a sudden he really does think he's the muttz nuttz.

[smedly]

"If this charter draft passes the plebiscite and goes into effect, it will create more conflicts because it is undemocratic and there will be no stability. The plebiscite will just end up being a waste of money," he said.

interpretation, this new charter will interfere with our ability to steal from the people - abuse power and lie about everything

[Srikcir]

"an undemocratic constitution will not bring about sustainable peace"

Did Prayut just agree that the NCPO Interim Charter is a failure for sustaining peace?

[rubl]

Anyone care to remind me what politicians and political parties said when first invited in participating in the NRC and CDC activities, about one year ago ?

Edited June 19, 2015 by rubl

[rubl]

"an undemocratic constitution will not bring about sustainable peace"

Did Prayut just agree that the NCPO Interim Charter is a failure for sustaining peace?

Shouldn't you first look up the meaning of "interim" and "sustainable" ?

[baboon]

Anyone care to remind me what politicians and political parties said when first invited in participating in the NRC and CDC activities, about one year ago ?

"Don't shoot"?

[djjamie]

This would have to be the first article in the history of Thailand that showed a pic of the accused red shirt terrorist leader, Jatuporn, but did not mention him in the article. They did mention the other accused terrorist though.

[phoenixdoglover]

"Prayut said CRR had invited some politicians from the two major camps for talks because he wanted to know what politicians think of the country's situation and how they can help bring about peace and order. He also wanted to know if they are ready for a general election as planned in the government's road map.

He said the media should ask politicians about what they will do to bring about reform. "If they cannot answer your questions, then it means they cannot achieve it. I have allowed them to speak about any and all issues. I do not stop or block them," he said"

Dear Mr. PM,

You threw them out of office,

declared yourself in charge,

replaced them with appointed lackeys,

banned their gatherings,

shut them out of the key committees (NRC, CDC),

allowed impeachment proceedings against half of them,

And you want them now to suggest how they will help you with your "reforms"?

I must complement you on your chutzpah.

By the way, how's the economy doing?

[tominbkk]

Prayut and his brother will be plenty enough to set up the panel! And to be the panel for that matter.

[tbthailand]

He said the media should ask politicians about what they will do to bring about reform. ... I have allowed them to speak about any and all issues. I do not stop or block them," he said.

The school yard taunt, comes to mind, ...

Liar, liar pants on fire....

[rubl]

"Prayut said CRR had invited some politicians from the two major camps for talks because he wanted to know what politicians think of the country's situation and how they can help bring about peace and order. He also wanted to know if they are ready for a general election as planned in the government's road map.

He said the media should ask politicians about what they will do to bring about reform. "If they cannot answer your questions, then it means they cannot achieve it. I have allowed them to speak about any and all issues. I do not stop or block them," he said"

Dear Mr. PM,

You threw them out of office,

declared yourself in charge,

replaced them with appointed lackeys,

banned their gatherings,

shut them out of the key committees (NRC, CDC),

allowed impeachment proceedings against half of them,

And you want them now to suggest how they will help you with your "reforms"?

I must complement you on your chutzpah.

By the way, how's the economy doing?

... and following politicians and political parties will complain that the PM doesn't listen to them, doesn't let them cooperate