NCPO's idea of 'active citizenship' worth considering

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
NCPO's idea of 'active citizenship' worth considering
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

BANGKOK: -- THE National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has made a controversial move at a time when the new Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) is grappling with the drafting of the new charter.

Last week, the NCPO submitted a 10-point plan to Meechai Ruchupan, the CDC chairman, proposing recommendations for provisions to be made in the new charter.

While some of the points have drawn flak from international human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch, some are worth paying attention to. These include the fifth point, which suggests that the charter should help to promote and empower a state of "citizens first and foremost", not only before or just after elections.

Since the new charter is being drafted after the previous one was rejected by the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC) in early September, the new CDC has been trying to figure out a new political system for the country so that it can move forward.

The new charter doesn't yet have an element addressing the increasing role of the people, which had been addressed in the rejected version in the distinctive form of "active citizenship".

Banjerd Singhaneti, a former Constitution Drafting Committee member who worked on the rejected draft, told me why we need such the element.

He said charters are generally written based on two key elements concerning the rights and freedom of people and the political structure. But considering the unusual circumstances in the country when it is passing through a "transitional period", besides reform and reconciliation supportive mechanisms, what we probably need no less than the others is empowerment of the people, or what he called, active citizenship.

Banjerd's committee specifically addressed this issue with various mechanisms introduced to help accomplish the goal, including a citizen assembly in every province, where people could come and practice democracy in their everyday lives so they could become actively democratic, and not aware only about their rights, but their duties in society.

In fact, his committee addressed it at the top of its charter drafting principles, or pillars, as "Citizens first and foremost".

What Banjerd did not tell me but we all know from public discussions and books is that drafting a charter is also about redress or even rebalancing powers in society. And people are among the other principal elements and powers of Thai society that need to be redress mindfully along with the others.

When Banjerd's committee addressed this issue, there was hope that we would soon be able to get back on track, or even move forward in a sustainable manner as our foundation would be empowered and become strong enough to balance with other powers or even support the whole democratic system.

Unfortunately the previous draft was rejected.

But now that the NCPO has weighed in with its proposals, it has revived an opportunity that the charter drafters will bring back the unattended element to the table.

It's still surprising that such an uncompromising symbol of power like the military would address this "citizens first and foremost" element.

While most of the other points in the NCPO proposal have been heavily criticised, we should not let this opportunity pass us by.

Shortly after he received the NCPO's proposal, Meechai said the CDC welcomed all recommendations and would consider all of them.

The CDC should look at the NCPO's fifth point closely so that "active citizenship" can have a chance to be truly realised along with the other elements.

Only with a solid foundation can we rest assured that our new house will be able to withstand all the winds.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NCPOs-idea-of-active-citizenship-worth-considering-30273807.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-27

[tbthailand]

more anti-democratic mumbo-jumbo.

the voice of the people comes through elections.

elected governments must have the ability to govern based on the choices made by that voice of the people.

this entire exercise is an attempt to circumvent that.

[LannaGuy]

"active citizens" are those from BKK who are wealthy and yellow and they get a say

"non-active citizens" are the rest of Thailand and they get to go to adjustment camps

[DrTuner]

Junta recruiting enforcers?

[JAG]

"Active Citizens".

Will they be t required to wear certain shirts, and participate in torchlight parades?

Do I hear the tramp of a thousand marching flip flops?

[yellowboat]

It does not sound like equality .

[soalbundy]

Only the 1% get rights, anywhere in the world, the rest can have a vote every 4 years, pay your taxes and shut up. The 1% doesn't care who is in ''power'' they rule anyway.

[LannaGuy]

Only the 1% get rights, anywhere in the world, the rest can have a vote every 4 years, pay your taxes and shut up. The 1% doesn't care who is in ''power'' they rule anyway.

you are mostly right but at least they get to vote the 'best of the rest'

[jcsmith]

To me this reeks of the whole notion to make some voters votes count for more (namely the wealthier well educated thais) in another effort to try to artificially boost the votes of the democrats. Same idea, different clothing.

[JetsetBkk]

^ Did anyone actually read the article?

[Srikcir]

"Only with a solid foundation can we rest assured that our new house will be able to withstand all the winds."

But the Royal Thai Military is an earthquake that will shake the Thai people's sovereignty to the ground.

Democracy must be well anchored in Thailand's society before it can resist being undermined by internal forces.

[JAG]

"Only with a solid foundation can we rest assured that our new house will be able to withstand all the winds."

But the Royal Thai Military is an earthquake that will shake the Thai people's sovereignty to the ground.

Democracy must be well anchored in Thailand's society before it can resist being undermined by internal forces.

Oh I don't think that the Military is the earthquake.

There may very well be an earthquake coming, which will shake a lot of things. It may even bring some structures crashing down and the military might well end up scrabbling around in the rubble.

Democracy will be established, with firm foundations when they rebuild after the earthquake.

Edited November 27, 2015 by JAG

[DrTuner]

^ Did anyone actually read the article?

Why bother, anything coming from that direction is only good for potshots anyway and for that the content is irrelevant.