On June 10th, Prime Minister HE Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, officially advanced Thailand’s National Reformation Plan by appointing Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun to lead the Assembly for the Adoption of Strategies for National Reform, with Professor Dr Prawase Wasi leading the Citizens’ Assembly for National Reform. However, before the National Reformation Plan swings underway in January 2011, opinions from stakeholders nationwide are being gathered to solve the nation’s problems. I also have suggestions for the composition of these two Assemblies in order to make long term maximization of the National Reformation Plan for all Thais.
Create a "Stakeholders' Matrix" to listen to the voice of all stakeholders
One critical problem for Thai national policy formation is the lack of practical opportunity for grassroots people to express their opinions or needs. Even though there are media coverage on many public hearings organized by government agencies, it seems to be perfunctory.
It is not that the government is unwilling to listen, but giving chance to masses to participate requires appropriate mechanism which is still doesn’t exist.
Thus, my proposal for a public sector "Stakeholders' Matrix" would identify, locate and table every section of society in relation to their direct or indirect involvement in local problems, while carefully and properly letting the government bring society’s real representatives into the problem-solving process.
Importantly, there are few civil organizations have been only slightly included by the public sector for policy making in the past. Therefore, these Assemblies should collaborate more with existing organizations; for example, the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) which represents 6,000 organizations.
Create a committee for these Assemblies from various groups
The appointment of a leader, a secretary and a committee for these Assemblies is critical; they should widely represent the community so that no government bias appears in the selection. What we need now is social harmony, and fairness in selecting representatives is essential to peace.
While I agree with the proposal for Mr Anand Panyarachun and Professor Dr Prawase Wasi to do this very important task, there are other senior citizens who are also well-known local men of wisdom who I think could help, as well as the111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party, who have been banned from politics for five years. This issue is difficult and sensitive but decision is required.
A clear time schedule is necessary
National reform should be undertaken carefully, but swiftly. The Prime Minister HE Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva’s planned accomplishment of the plan within three years is too long a time frame in my opinion, and people could become discouraged. Moreover, this present government might be terminated before the plan is finished. I therefore propose a clear short term schedule in order to build both Thai and foreign confidence in the rehabilitation work. The activities of these Assemblies should also be organized and open to public scrutiny.
For the National Reformation Plan to succeed as we all expect, it must be carried out with care, and benefit all Thais, with equal participation from every group in society.
Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, kriengsak.com, drdancando.com
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, kriengsak.com, drdancando.com
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