Red shirts shrug off NRC moves, 'to watch process'
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Key red shirts yesterday greeted the appointment of National Reform Council (NRC) members with indifference, pessimism and contempt.
Red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Weng Tojirakarn said the whole process was under the junta’s dictates, so it was pointless.
“Let them do whatever they want so everyone in this country can see how the NCPO wants to change the country,” said Weng, adding he thought the junta wanted to make the bureaucracy more powerful.
Weng said there was no point in red shirts participating, as the junta would make the final decision.
Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said he was not surprised that neither red-shirt supporters nor members of Pheu Thai Party were appointed NRC members because his group had refused to join in the first place.
“Don’t blame people who picked the final list. We now don’t care about the individuals but we will closely monitor the substance of the reforms. However, we won’t stand in the way of the reform process,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yutthawong, who took part in the selection of the NRC, countered criticism by saying the selection committees had tried to bring people with differing views into the NRC, but some groups did not want to participate.
He said the NRC would work to reduce corruption, educational reform, promote justice and form a constitution drafting assembly. Its work would take shape in six months to bring the country back to normalcy.
Jarun Maluleem, a political science professor at Thammasat University and an expert in the Islamic religion, said it was good that Nirun Puntarakij was appointed to the NRC. Because he is a Muslim and a law expert, helping to ease the southern dispute should be more efficient than before.
“I know three of the NRC members who are not politicians. Personal gain is not their objective but helping the country is,” he said.
Red-shirt Chulalongkorn University historian Suthachai Yimprasert said he had no interest in the whole process because it was a joke to him.
“The coup-makers violated all rules and now they want to set new rules and have people respect them. It’s laughable,” said the historian, who predicts the new charter won’t be the last, although it will be designed to prevent Thaksin Shinawatra from making a political comeback.
Ekachai Chainubati, deputy dean of Law at Siam University and a red-shirt supporter, said it was impossible to reform Thailand within a year.
“Let me use the word ‘impossible’,” he said.
Familiar faces, but few fans of Thaksin
The newly-appointed National Reform Council is dominated by critics of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, including former senators, and key figures from the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
– Former senators include Kamnoon Sitthisamarn, Prasarn Marukapitak, Paiboon Nititawan, Rosana Tositrakul, and Wanchai Sornsiri;
– Former constitution drafters include Seri Suwanpanont, Chutinan Bhirombhakdi, Pisit Leeartham, Somchai Ruchuphan, and Wiriya Namsiripongphan;
– Thaksin critics include Chirmsak Pinthong, Chai-anan Samudavanija, Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, Sangsit Piriyarangsan, Naovarat Pongbaiboon, Udom Fuangfung, and Pongpayom Wasaputi;
– Former politicians or people with political connections include Chai Chidchob, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, General Thawatchai Samutsakorn;
– Retired and active bureaucrats include Panit Nitithanprapas, Pracha Terat, Damrong Pidet, Manoo Liewpairoj, and General Vichit Yathip.
– Academics and representatives from NGOs and the private sector include Thienchai Kiranan, Anek Laothammathat, Ticha Nanakorn, Pramon Sutheewong, and Saree Ongsomwang;
– Media representatives include Pradit Ruangdit, Wasan Paileeklee, Manit Suksomjit, Boonlert Kachayuthadej, Prapa Hetrakul Srinualnat.
