Thai interview: 'Reform process ideally placed in current environment to be a success'

[webfact]

EXCUSIVE INTERVIEW
'Reform process ideally placed in current environment to be a success'
Piyaporn Wongruang


Alongkorn

BANGKOK: -- Alongkorn Ponlaboot used to be a member of the media who observed social and political phenomenon for many years before entering politics and becoming one of the top politicians of the country. He joined the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC), acting as its whip. He is now vice chair of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), set up to replace the NRC. He talked to The Nation's Piyaporn Wongruang about his hopes for the new round of reform.

'Reform process ideally placed in current environment to be a success'

Alongkorn Ponlaboot used to be a member of the media who observed social and political phenomenon for many years before entering politics and becoming one of the top politicians of the country. He joined the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC), acting as its whip. He is now vice chair of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), set up to replace the NRC. He talked to The Nation's Piyaporn Wongruang about his hopes for the new round of reform.

WHEN PEOPLE FIRST HEARD ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION [THE NRSA], THE QUESTION MANY OF THEM HAD WAS WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ROLE IN THIS ROUND OF REFORM?

I would like to say that we have the highest chance of success in reforming the country during this period before an election. From my experiences, structural and fundamental reform can never take place by an elected government. This is because political parties are themselves tied to their own commitments that need to be fulfilled otherwise they risk losing popularity.

Secondly, we have a positive environment … after the coup we have seen political conflicts lose their momentum. The country has reached a degree of order and peacefulness, enough to allow other processes to proceed, including the reform.

In addition, we are moving towards integration of the Asean community. This is a great opportunity for Thailand to reposition itself as the centre of the community. There is a kind of "Look West" policy by some newly emerged economic giants in the East, as they are attracted by the growth of Asean, while big countries in the West have continuously shown their interest in Asean as well.

So, we cannot proceed with a status quo perspective any more. We cannot look for ways to solve only our internal problems. We need to design our country to also be able to catch up with global dynamics. Our reform work thus must respond to the future challenges as well.

HOW WILL YOU PROCEED WITH SUCH REFORM?

We are lucky that the defunct NRC has come up with one of the country's best reform blueprints. This is not just a proposal, but a blueprint for changes. It is very comprehensive, covering 505 issues that the country faces. They are grouped into 37 main reform agendas, eight development agendas, plus 15 special ones including reconciliation - 69 in total.

They have not only addressed issues, but proposed solutions for them, both in terms of changes in organisations and in structure. So, it's quite easy for the new NRSA to proceed.

We will review what they [the NRC] have done, screen [it] and prioritise the issues before an election. We have divided the work into two phases. The first phase will be before an election - within one or two years. The other [phase] will be after the election. Once we have finished prioritising all 69 agendas, we will then develop action plans for putting them into practice.

All plans will then be tabled before the Cabinet. It will be the principal body that makes a decision. If it is about structural reform that needs a legal amendment or enactment, it will then be forwarded to the NLA for further work.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE ROLE OF THE NRSA IN THIS ROUND OF REFORM?

Our role is screening and prioritising what the NRC has done, and then transforming the blueprint into action plans. We will stick with four key principles - being quick, being thorough, being comprehensive, and public participation.

We believe that the success [of this process] will not just be about having a good plan, but having good cooperation, as reform will have a chance [of succeeding] only when people accept it and agree to changes.

At this point, we have set up a new communication centre to communicate with the public. We realise one of the problems the NRC faced is that people didn't understand what they did. We want people to feel that reform belongs to them.

GIVEN THE LIMIT TIME, YOU HAVE PROPOSED A FORMULA OF 1+1+18?

A: Yes, I have. It means the first month we will spend time organising our work structure and procedures. In the second month, the NRSA members will be allowed to review all the NRC's agendas and the reports on over 700 forums it organised, plus some reform proposals by the Cabinet and the Defence Ministry.

They [the NRSA members] will start a major review and screening on the proposals. General debates will be organised to let the members hold discussions, but this time about how to accomplish the reform, not what is to be reformed any more.

So, in mid-December our action plans should take shape and be forwarded to concerned agencies. Like I said, if it's about changes in organisations, it will then be sent to the Cabinet. But if it's changes in structure that needs some legal support, we will then forward it to the NLA.

In addition, we have come up with two joint platforms between the concerned bodies, following the premier's recent directive. There will be a new joint committee between us, the Cabinet and the NLA to put into practice reform action plans. The other will be a committee between us, the Cabinet and the Constitution Drafting Committee to help each other complete the design of the new constitution.

Our work paradigm is about approaches, but the NRC's was issues.

GIVEN THE GREAT AMOUNT OF THE WORK YOU WILL BE DEALING WITH, TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU THINK THE WORK WILL BE SUCCESSFUL? PEOPLE HAVE OBSERVED THAT YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO MAKE |IT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

I must say that to stick with having or not having power to do things is a very wrong perception. Looking back to what happened to us, you may have realised as well that we could not build democracy, despite several good laws, good administrations, or good constitutions. Why?

That's because people keep violating the rules, right? So, the success of the reform in this round is not really about having laws or power to force people to do or not to do things. The NRSA may have no power, but it has a duty, and real success can only happen when people feel they own it too.

So, people's mindsets are also no less important. You can actually not think that it's all about the NRSA, or leave the burden on its shoulder alone. If we think that we are in a crisis, every one of us must change. Once we realise that we have a problem, we will then start thinking of changing things, right?

So, the key to the success this time is really about us being able to see things through and share both burden and responsibility. So, you should also ask people: Are they ready [for real reform] or are they still stuck in the mud of politics? I don't want to say that we are hopeless with no future.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reform-process-ideally-placed-in-current-environme-30271582.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-26

[JAG]

Is this the future "real" government?

[Laughing Gravy]

A load of old waffle spinning the current rubbish, Hoping the people will actually believe this. No change then.

[jaidam]

Current environment? Prayuth forbade any investigation into his "unusual wealth". The new police chief is another billionaire that can not account for his unusual wealth. Protests of any kind are strictly forbidden. The current environment is what happens when an opportunity is absolutely wasted. In this case an opportunity to rid Thailand of endemic corruption and ensure justice for all. But no, Prayuth and his mates bank balances are the only important issue for them. If anybody here cares about Thailand, this must be a very concerning time.

[NongKhaiKid]

Current environment? Prayuth forbade any investigation into his "unusual wealth". The new police chief is another billionaire that can not account for his unusual wealth. Protests of any kind are strictly forbidden. The current environment is what happens when an opportunity is absolutely wasted. In this case an opportunity to rid Thailand of endemic corruption and ensure justice for all. But no, Prayuth and his mates bank balances are the only important issue for them. If anybody here cares about Thailand, this must be a very concerning time.

At least there is an official crackdown on corruption, depending ...! Depending ?

Depending on who you are, were and who you are associated with be it currently positive or negative.

The Bike for Mom went well and Bike for Pop will be a raging success too.

[MZurf]

Current environment? Prayuth forbade any investigation into his "unusual wealth". The new police chief is another billionaire that can not account for his unusual wealth. Protests of any kind are strictly forbidden. The current environment is what happens when an opportunity is absolutely wasted. In this case an opportunity to rid Thailand of endemic corruption and ensure justice for all. But no, Prayuth and his mates bank balances are the only important issue for them. If anybody here cares about Thailand, this must be a very concerning time.

At least there is an official crackdown on corruption, depending ...! Depending ?

Depending on who you are, were and who you are associated with be it currently positive or negative.

The Bike for Mom went well and Bike for Pop will be a raging success too.

Let's give credit where credit's due. The all important reform of the national lottery has been a great success! Well done Uncle Too! Minor issues like a complete reform of the RTP (or heaven forbid, the military) can obviously be postponed indefinitely.

[jayboy]

The most dishonest or self deceiving piece i have seen on the Thai reform process, and the competition for that dubious honour is intense.

The interviewer rightly posed the question of the lack of legitimacy for the whole process.It doesn't exist and for that reason the whole set of reforms can be dismantled at any future date.

Orchestrated 'public participation' meetings are no substitute for democratic endorsement.

It is true that occasionally in history reform can be imposed from above.One thinks of the Napoleonic Code but that was before the spread of democracy and in any case Napoleon embodied the spirit of France in a way this motley collection of buffoons, thugs and liars represent only themselves.

[LannaGuy]

nice to read such an un-biased article of self-praise from his high horse of self-righteousness

how puerile, how dangerous

[oneday]

"...This is because political parties are themselves tied to their own commitments that need to be fulfilled otherwise they risk losing popularity..."

Uh-huh, and you and your bosses in the junta don't have any agenda other than the good of the country...you are unbiased and impartial and I just saw several pigs flying over my house.

[Thailand]

Beginning to make Mr T look like an honest angel.

[phoenixdoglover]

"I would like to say that we have the highest chance of success in reforming the country during this period before an election. From my experiences, structural and fundamental reform can never take place by an elected government. This is because political parties are themselves tied to their own commitments that need to be fulfilled otherwise they risk losing popularity."

In a nutshell, this is the prevailing attitude of the Junta and their supporters, which is a repudiation of the fundamental dynamic of elected governments - in which citizens elect people based on their positions, intentions, and promises, and the elected individuals are expected to follow through on their commitments.

[snark on]

As we all know, the experience of most democratic governments in the world is that they are unable to implement significant changes, because politicians are too busy fulfilling their commitments to the people that elected them. This system of making and fulfilling promises is a fundamental flaw that undermines an effective system of government.

Under the system of democracy envisioned for a reformed Thailand, politicians will be unable to fulfill their promises, as there will be various checks and balances, such as peoples' committees, and a National Reform Steering Committee. These bodies, which have the best interests of Thailand, will assure the process of fulfilling campaign commitments is regulated.

In addition, it may be desirable to eliminate the odious practices of campaigns, in which candidates for the National Assembly describe various issues, and make suggestions about how they will address these problems. This kind of political pandering has no place in a true democracy. Elections should consist of non-partisan discussion of issues, with no attempt to define solutions.

[snark off]

Edited October 26, 2015 by phoenixdoglover

[Srikcir]

"we cannot proceed with a status quo perspective any more."

Say goodbye to a sustaining democratic regime and hello to unpredictable anarchy.

[waldroj]

A true case of sour grapes from a former deputy leader of the Democrat Party. Alongkorn had been responsible for deep division within the Party over their rejection of his reform ideas, and he eventually resigned from it in November 2014.

Whilst he was unable to get his way amongst free-thinking and democratically elected individuals, it now seems he has found a place for his ideas in the junta’s so called roadmap for radical change regardless of the outcomes. He must now truly believe his time has come, especially as the junta seems hell-bent on breaking the power of the larger political parties that are much more conservative about the reform process.

He confirms his place in the current order when he suggests that structural and fundamental reform can never take place with an elected government. While this may be partly true, its reason lies more in the democratic process itself than with any failure of a democratically elected government. That said, democratically elected governments can and do implement major reform if they have sufficient public support.

Alongkorn also shows contempt for the democratic process when he suggests that political parties are themselves tied to their own commitments that need to be fulfilled otherwise they risk losing popularity. The true reality for democratically elected governments (unlike the junta) is that there will be commitments than must be fulfilled (that’s part of the game of politics), but there is also the more critical need to deal with competing demands for scarce resources. That is the balance required by all democratically elected governments, and if they get it wrong then certainly they risk losing popularity. But, at least, they can be removed by democratic means. Maybe, Alongkorn should reflect on the popularity of the junta, and on the number of junta appointees currently in high positions before talking about fulfilling commitments!

It would appear that Alongkorn is in no hurry to see the return of a democratic government in Thailand. He alludes to his ongoing involvement in the reform development process spaning two phases, the first before an election (within one or two years), and then a second phase of putting the 69 reform agendas into action (finally). Looks like we still have a while to go before we start to see any of these reforms and reconciliation (even though the junta seized control of this country in May, 2014).

Alongkorn (like the junta), would have you believe that Thailand is being steered towards a brave new future under a radical reform process. Unfortunately, the reality seems to be one that is destined to see the country foundering in political confusion for well into the foreseeable future (unless people’s attitudes change).

[Thai at Heart]

Hahaha. Well isn't he fortunate that they had a coup just to provide him with this chance for reform. Parliaments aren't capable of reform, but junta are? Utter idiocy.

[slapout]

One term I kept looking for but maybe I overlooked it ''consistency'' in application of procedures, people, rewards and punishment for all illegal action, financing, knowledge, etc of same