'Reforms only possible if all voices heard'
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Representatives from different interest groups are calling on the government to pay heed to everybody and allow people to discuss their thoughts freely, adding that reform needs to be introduced at a provincial level first before it can be expanded nation
Phichet Tabudda, a representative from the “Driving Force of Detractors Group” from Ubon Ratchathani province, said the government should not consider people with different ideas as enemies or traitors.
“The problem is that the government never listens to opinions that contradict its own. I once ended up in jail for expressing my thoughts, because they were different and I was considered a traitor,” said Pichet, a former member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
He was speaking at the “Social Driving Force to Move Thailand Forward” seminar organised by King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI).
He said national reform could not be achieved if people were not allowed to voice their opinions freely and if the government refused to listen to them.
Prateep Insaeng, a representative from Nan province, said that before national reform could be accomplished, the government needed to introduce reforms at the local level. He also voiced concerns over decentralisation.
“Many people say decentralisation will strengthen local administration, but in reality, all the power is held by the central government,” Prateep said.
Public space necessary
General Ekachai Srivilas, director of KPI’s course on promoting peace in society and a member of the National Reform Council (NRC), said: “Reform must include all stakeholders. A public space is needed where opinions can freely and safely be expressed for everybody to push for reform and change together.
“I think the key question is how to organise a forum where those who refuse to participate – for different reasons, such as they may not accept the junta’s legitimacy – to persuade them to participate because they also have their own problems,” he said.
They also have their own reform proposals and ideas that were either ignored or they did not want to join a forum organised by the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) or the NRC, so someone needs to offer alternatives, he said.
A survey on students’ role in reform was also presented at the seminar. In the survey, students aged between 15 and 24 were asked if they were willing to cooperate with the government and NRC and how they could help with reform. However, most of them said they were too young for people to listen to them.
Thawatchai Saengthamchai, who has been behind many social projects, called on all organisations to come up with methods for students to voice their ideas and ensure they are implemented correctly. He said the focus should be more on students because they will be the country’s future.
Another survey of students about what they want from national reform showed that most respondents want corruption to be eradicated.
They also don’t want to see people divided in colour-coded groups, and want Thais to unite to prevent further conflicts.
The broadcaster Thai PBS also presented opinions it gathered from locals in seven provinces, and found that most people were enthusiastic about offering ideas on many areas.
Yet the most urgent issue that the public is concerned about is martial law, with most wanting it to be lifted as soon as possible.
Also, they want the NCPO to consider the 2007 Constitution’s Articles 66 and 67, as they back public participation in reorganising the country’s environment hand in hand with the government.
People at the seminar agreed that reform would affect one and all in Thai society, hence agencies such as the NRC should be concerned with those who are not able to offer ideas.
The seminar concluded that the public does not believe that the NCPO will accept differing ideas. Also, people want the government to show its sincerity by listening to minorities such as working people and students who are being given a small role at present.
