More forums needed for other voices to discuss reforms

Many of the newly appointed NRC members oppose former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and almost none could be described as sympathisers of the administration of his sister Yingluck.

Some members of the council were from the People’s Democratic Reform Committee and former Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot was among them.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has raised a question on whether or not those social groups, who opposed the military coup, had applied for the NRC membership. The PM seemed to imply that the responsibility rests on their shoulders because they had not sought the membership. However, such a remark, whether or not it’s true, was not effective in easing concerns – nor was it a plausible action for those who wanted to see a council with representatives of all groups in society.

The emphasis was on a council that offered all viewpoints and acted as a single deliberative entity. Failure to achieve this would damage both the credibility of the administration and the reform proposals that will be put forward by NRC members.

On the other hand, if the PM’s remark was true, those social and political groups should be advised to focus more on the country’s progress rather than an expression of disapproval about the coup, because that’s all in the past. Their key challenge now is to figure out, what’s best for the country and the future? The answer is – their full cooperation and contribution towards the country’s 11 areas of reform.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the government and NRC should make it one of their priorities to help facilitate, establish, encourage, and promote the people’s reform council (or whatever they name it). Now that we know for certain, many social groups could be left out of the NRC, the ruling administration must find them a place where their voices can be heard.

The Energy Reform forum, hosted by the NCPO, was a good starting point, and a good protocol for other future reform councils to follow. This event was held at the end of August, at the Army Club, with activist monk, Luang Pu Buddha Issara acting as mediator. He deserved to take credit for being authoritative and was effective in taking control of heated situations when needed.

Energy reform advocates met with energy company executives and technocrats for the first time in a climate of distrust at the Army Club. The debate was at times hostile and provocative because the two sides clearly had contrasting viewpoints. 

But that is what a deeply polarised society needs – a place where different views are deliberated, and debated. The large conference room was full with over a thousand people and representatives from public offices and organisations – all of whom were passionate about the topic. In the end, although the forum didn’t find compromise solutions for all issues, some did. These were recorded and will be presented to the NRC, and those that couldn’t find agreement were noted for discussion during the next forum. The significance of this meeting was that the public got to listen to alternative voices on reform proposals.

Key academics and political figures all pointed to the challenge of the success or failure of reform proposals. How do we make those resentful voices speak up and be heard? The solution is a free and fair, well promoted and well facilitated people’s reform council working on all of the 11 areas of the country’s reform.