Thai interview: NRC 'blueprint' is ready

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
NRC 'blueprint' is ready
Wiraj Sripong
The Nation

Now it's up to the government to implement it: Alongkorn

BANGKOK: -- The National Reform Council (NRC)'s "blueprint for change", based on the principles of laying the groundwork for a strong democratic society and an attractive economy, will be submitted to the Cabinet on Thursday.

"This blueprint will focus on three things: a genuine participatory democracy; boosting the economy and turning the country into an original design manufacturer [ODM]; and creating a civic-minded society," NRC secretary whip Alongkorn Ponlaboot said.

"Foot-dragging has been a problem in this country for a long time," he said, pointing out that the NRC was created to help design the country's political, economic and social architecture.

Implementing this blueprint, however, will be the responsibility of the government and all stakeholders, Alongkorn said, adding that a set of organic laws would be handed to the legislative assembly to ensure the continuity of reform on all aspects.

As for political reform, Alongkorn - who is also a member of NRC's political reform committee - said the blueprint emphasises participatory democracy where people at the grassroots level would have a greater say in the selection of their representatives - be it at the House of Representative or their favourite party. This option will also give the potential candidate an opportunity to speak directly to voters and express their visions.

According to Alongkorn, this process aims to decentralise the decision-making process within political parties as that normally belongs to a handful of people. Political parties will be encouraged to work through regional and local branches, so they have a real understanding of what is happening on the ground, he said. This way, a rapprochement between the grassroots and policy-makers can be achieved, as well as do away with the problem of disconnection between representatives and their voters.

"This aims to create a real political institution," Alongkorn said, adding that this will also stop political parties from being operated like a family business and turn them into a public organisation. "Political parties will be able to put their potential candidates and policies forward in a more constructive environment," Alongkorn added.

Also, with this people-centred approach, each and every citizen will develop a sense of civic responsibility, he added.

As for the economy, he said corporate social responsibility would be at the core of all economic activities. The Kingdom will turn itself into a developed country in the next 17 years, and in the meantime economic activities will try to shift to and rely on the practice of ODM.

"Also small and medium-sized businesses will be given greater access to the market," Alongkorn emphasised.

The NRC is taking into account problems that have been stopping Thailand from moving forward, such as corruption, economic disparity and an unreal democracy, he pointed out. And even though the NRC is reaching the end of its term, Alongkorn said a new body would be set up to carry out the task. For the time being though, he said, the NRC is working on drafting all organic laws that will accompany the blueprint.

Reform in 11 areas

The blueprint that will be submitted to the Cabinet focuses on the vision for the country over the next 17 years. A report on reforms in 11 areas, ranging from politics and public administration to economics, energy and social issues, will be included. The package will also include an update on areas where reforms have taken place over the past year, including organic laws that would ensure that the reform process continues in the future. The blueprint will be revealed to the public on Thursday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NRC-blueprint-is-ready-30266269.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-10

[tbthailand]

The National Reform Council (NRC)'s "blueprint for change", based on the principles of laying the groundwork for a strong democratic society

naturally, the most anti-democratic portions of society will claim to lay a groundwork for a strong democracy.

[Hayduke]

Sounds great. But whatever happens to all these 'blueprints', 'proposals', 'roadmaps' etc.? Is this what the people assigned to 'inactive' posts work on?

[bamnutsak]

Implementing this blueprint, however, will be the responsibility of the government and all stakeholders

Classic feudal thinking. A few "Good People" will tell the masses what to do; now go "do it", that's an order.

We'll put more laws, courts, committees, commissions in place to make sure everyone follows the "blueprint". If they don't we'll be back to impeach them, or overthrow them.

What could go wrong?

[h90]

Implementing this blueprint, however, will be the responsibility of the government and all stakeholders

Classic feudal thinking. A few "Good People" will tell the masses what to do; now go "do it", that's an order.

We'll put more laws, courts, committees, commissions in place to make sure everyone follows the "blueprint". If they don't we'll be back to impeach them, or overthrow them.

What could go wrong?

What is the alternative?

Some super rich buying themself into power and tell the masses what to do?

[aussieinthailand]

Implementing this blueprint, however, will be the responsibility of the government and all stakeholders

Classic feudal thinking. A few "Good People" will tell the masses what to do; now go "do it", that's an order.

We'll put more laws, courts, committees, commissions in place to make sure everyone follows the "blueprint". If they don't we'll be back to impeach them, or overthrow them.

What could go wrong?

We need to set up a committee and we six moths to decide what "blueprint" means.

Also we need another committee and a further six months to decide "what could go wrong".

[FangFerang]

"Also small and medium-sized businesses will be given greater access to the market," Alongkorn emphasized.

When pigs fly Tornado bombers.

There are good reasons it is almost impossible to buy anything wholesale here. Makro sells slightly price-reduced meat, cheese and fish, though the veggies are sometimes a good buy. It is VERY hard for a Thai to run their own business and make any money at it. In the West, merchants buy for 1 and sell for 2. Here merchants buy for 1.75 and sell for 2.

It's not a conspiracy. It's a method of milking the masses.

Edited August 10, 2015 by FangFerang

[Srikcir]

Implementing this blueprint, however, will be the responsibility of the government and all stakeholders

Classic feudal thinking. A few "Good People" will tell the masses what to do; now go "do it", that's an order.

We'll put more laws, courts, committees, commissions in place to make sure everyone follows the "blueprint". If they don't we'll be back to impeach them, or overthrow them.

What could go wrong?

What is the alternative?

Some super rich buying themself into power and tell the masses what to do?

Isn't Thailand already in the alternative?

It is now for the twelveth time that the super elite put themselves into power by virtue of ARMED FORCE. Then they use the WEALTH of the nation to keep themselves in power and tell the masses what to do. But you never find fault with the autocratic, only with the democratic.

[Thai at Heart]

"Also small and medium-sized businesses will be given greater access to the market," Alongkorn emphasized.

When pigs fly Tornado bombers.

There are good reasons it is almost impossible to buy anything wholesale here. Makro sells slightly price-reduced meat, cheese and fish, though the veggies are sometimes a good buy. It is VERY hard for a Thai to run their own business and make any money at it. In the West, merchants buy for 1 and sell for 2. Here merchants buy for 1.75 and sell for 2.

It's not a conspiracy. It's a method of milking the masses.

Not quite so, there are 100 more hands in order to reach 1.75, with some type of licensed or monopolised privilege.

The funniest one is distribution of cigarettes. Every city has an old family who fund the distribution, they are granted monopoly, and have made billions. But when other companies compete they cry foul. It is the same for booze, lottery tickets, eggs and other products.

Govt granted protection rackets everywhere.

[candide]

How can people have a greater say in the political system they want to put in place, if most power is in the hand of appointed people?

Total bs!