Real reform must involve citizens: Abhisit

[webfact]

Real reform must involve citizens: Abhisit

By The Nation

 

Abhisit on his 53rd birthday

 

BANGKOK: -- The reform process could hardly become a success if the people did not feel they were part of it, said Abhisit Vejjajiva, a former prime minister and leader of the Democrat Party on Thursday.

He is concerned that there has been insufficient inclusiveness in the reform process, dooming it to failure.

 

The remark came after the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) had dissolved on Monday, following the enactment of the reform law which would set up another 11 panels to take on the reform issue.

 

Politicians had been urged to nominate candidates to sit on the panels.

 

The democrat leader, however, expressed that the more important thing was to find ways to allow elaborate public participation.

“I am concerned more about how or how much people will be able to participate in this. Politicians already have the chance to work in the executive or legislative branch in the future anyway,” Abhisit said.

 

The former PM pointed out it would be difficult for genuine reform to come to fruition if the people did not feel it was theirs.

Also, some points in the reform would take a long time to materialise, he added.

 

Some stakeholders afraid of losing their power or influence would likely try to get in the way, Abhisit explained. It would need mutual agreement of people in society to overcome such obstacles and drive reform, he said. 

 

The Democrat leader went on to say that the 20-year national strategy, which was in the same legislative package with reform, must also be in line with the people’s desires.

 

Personally, Abhisit said, he didn’t think a scheme of such long duration fits attitudes of our current generation of citizens. He would like participation to be open to everyone to avoid future problems. 

 

Asked to reflect on the work of the defunct NRSA, the politician said that he wished it had not work on each reform issue individually.

Rather, they should have come up with a grand scheme, with a clear and solid principle and foundation, he said. For example, the main principle could have been to decrease state power and empower the people. By starting from stated principles, the necessary reform policies would have been clearer, he added.

 

In addition, Abhisit noted that he has always stressed that the NRSA did not have authority other than to propose suggestions to the Cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly, which have the power to decide whether to take or drop any plan.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30322686

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-04

[Lupatria]

What an unusual nevertheless revolutionary, and thus dangerous idea to involve common people in the game of thrones 

Edited August 4, 2017 by Lupatria

[klauskunkel]

After 3 years of not a single peep from Abhisit, he is now in the news almost daily. Prepping, hunh?

[phantomfiddler]

Real reform must come through education of the rural masses, most of whom think that thaksin was the only truly honest man in Thailand and is being vilified purely because of this. Only when they really understand what happened can there be any hope of significant progress.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The former PM pointed out it would be difficult for genuine reform to come to fruition if the people did not feel it was theirs.

You mean like when Abhisit pushed in 2013 to force an undemocratic regime change with an unelected government in violation of the Constitution Or when he and Suthep ordered "security forces" to open fire on PTP protestors in 2010 to disrupt their public protests?

The only genuine reform Abhisit wants is his restoration to power by whatever means.

[JAG]

Real reform must come through education of the rural masses, most of whom think that thaksin was the only truly honest man in Thailand and is being vilified purely because of this. Only when they really understand what happened can there be any hope of significant progress.

"Education of the rural masses" to ensure they have a particular opinion of a political figure had a particular authoritarian "ring" to it doesn't it?

I can think of a number of regimes in recent history that have indulged in that approach....

[Golgota]

3 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

Real reform must come through education of the rural masses, most of whom think that thaksin was the only truly honest man in Thailand and is being vilified purely because of this. Only when they really understand what happened can there be any hope of significant progress.

Unfortunately the establishement is quite happy with this lack of education, it helps them maintain power...Thaksin was a pain in the arse for them as he "awoke" the rural mass...He was not good for sure, but he was the first one to speak to them...The establishement, instead of trying to show Thaksin was not the solution just vilified him and of course did nothing to improve the grass roots conditions.

The other problem the establishment is  now facing is much more dangerous  : social media, propagation of infos showing the abuses of the wealthy, the bended laws and the absence of consideration for them...

The future is not looking so bright for this country

[baboon]

Oh dear. Coup not pan out the way you had hoped?

Tough.

[irwinfc]

"Real reform must NOT involve politicians" - Me

[johng]

Real reforms will never come from men in green uniforms.

[JAG]

Unfortunately the establishement is quite happy with this lack of education, it helps them maintain power...Thaksin was a pain in the arse for them as he "awoke" the rural mass...He was not good for sure, but he was the first one to speak to them...The establishement, instead of trying to show Thaksin was not the solution just vilified him and of course did nothing to improve the grass roots conditions.
The other problem the establishment is  now facing is much more dangerous  : social media, propagation of infos showing the abuses of the wealthy, the bended laws and the absence of consideration for them...
The future is not looking so bright for this country

The future is not looking so bright for those who run, and who believe they and they alone are entitled to run this country.

For the masses, once they assert themselves, things may be rocky at first but there is the potential for things to get better.

[Minnehaha]

involving the people who vote the right way ...

[Dobredin Ghusputin]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

Real reform must involve citizens: Abhisit

 

While you're at it, O Wise One please also explain, for humanity's sake, what is the meaning of life.

 

[johng]

 
While you're at it, O Wise One please also explain, for humanity's sake, what is the meaning of life.
 

The meaning of life the universe and everything is ....42

[barrywhite]

6 hours ago, Dobredin Ghusputin said:

 

While you're at it, O Wise One please also explain, for humanity's sake, what is the meaning of life.

 

There is no meaning, shock  horror

[wakeupplease]

Last night trying to be a Magpie fan (Newcastle Football Club Supporter) and according to one of the lads who runs the supporters club not welcome there. Now trying on the wisdom bull>>>> and I guess in real not welcome around here also.

 

give it up lad they have seen through you like they did with Tony blair and he should be in jail if I remember right.