Great expectations as NRC nominees show their diversity
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Candidates vying for a chance to be part of the National Reform Council (NRC) seem to have come from so many different backgrounds, that their diverse experience and viewpoints may end up proving useful to the reforms that the junta has pledged to achieve
Yet, diversity appears to be missing from one key sector – the very sector that prompted the National Council for Peace and Order to stage the May 22 coup. Thailand is in dire need for political reform, which has been the key reason behind street protests over the past decade.
Pheu Thai Party and its close ally the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have undeniably been the key players in politics recently. So, what form will political reform take if their representatives are not part of the reform council?
Judging by the list of candidates nominated by non-profit organisations as of yesterday – one day before the deadline – not a single name has come from Pheu Thai and the UDD.
In fact, both Democrat and Pheu Thai parties have been quiet on the subject of nominations. However, former Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot announced that he was going against his party’s wishes and had accepted his nomination as NRC candidate.
Former Democrat member Thaworn Senneam, co-leader of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), also said his group had fielded several candidates to push for reform proposals.
Chirmsak Pinthong and poet Naowarat Pongpaiboon, who appeared on the PDRC stage, have been nominated by some non-profit organisations for academic reform. Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, the executive vice-president of Boon Rawd Brewery, was nominated to handle economic reform. His daughter is a PDRC co-leader.
Some interesting names have also come up from outside the political field. For instance, Chief Ombudsman Panit Nitithanprapas was nominated for reform in central administration; former Zoological Park Organisation director Sopon Damnui for the reform of health and environment, and Pol Maj-General Piya Uthayo for media reform.
However, some candidates, such as Vice-Admiral Pachun Tampratheep, secretary to Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, were quite unexpected. He was nominated by the Association of Songkhla Residents to work in the law and justice sector.
Candidates for the NRC members are required to indicate which sectors they want to work on, but they can change their field once they’ve been selected.
The 11 fields in which reforms will be considered are:
POLITICS: NRC members will have to come up with proposals related to acquiring political positions, application and acquisition of MP and senate posts, changes to election system, anti-graft measures and increasing political stability to ensure sovereignty.
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION: Those in charge will need to propose ideas on reforming, dissolving, merging or streamlining ministries and government agencies. It has been proposed that the Tourism Ministry and Culture Ministry be merged and that a Ministry of Water Resources and a Department of Rail Transport be created.
LEGAL AND JUDICIARY: Those in charge need to realise that there is a dire need for reform in the police bureau, the prosecution system and courts. They also need to find ways to do away with double standards, revamp the Department of Special Investigation and remove obsolete laws.
LOCAL ADMINISTRATION: Those in charge will have to focus on Tambon Administrative Organisation, Provincial Administrative Organisation and municipalities, and decide whether provincial governors should be publicly elected.
EDUCATION: Those in charge will need to focus on issues involving teachers, students, schools and education in general.
ECONOMY: Those in charge must consider key economic issues, including tax restructuring as well as manufacturing, commerce, industrialisation, logistics and transport sectors.
ENERGY: NRC members must come up with reform proposals on petroleum, alternative energy, like solar, wind and nuclear energy to name a few.
SOCIETY: Those in charge will need to help find ways to bridge the income gap, social disparity, fight poverty and protect consumers.
PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT: Members will need to come up with ways of ensuring environmental sustainability and means to manage pollution.
They are also expected to brainstorm on whether more large dams are required.
MEDIA: Those in charge will need to find ways of introducing reforms in print media, television, radio, telecommunications, as well as all other types of communication.
MISCELLANEOUS: Members will have to address issues related to music, sports, arts, ethics and values, religions, traditions, political culture and public.
With such a comprehensive reform plan, it is hoped that the country will indeed move a step closer to a better future.
