NRC backs reform before poll stance
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VOCAL National Reform Council members agree with a proposal by former politician turned People's Democratic Reform Foundation chairman Suthep Thaugsuban to reform the country before holding a general election but insist a reform timetable needs to be set.
Alternatively, it was argued that rejecting the draft charter so the process would have to start from scratch was a viable method to extending the reform process.
Wanchai Sornsiri said Suthep knew what was proper and what was not and offered his opinion without pressure.
He agreed with the idea of delivering reform before holding the election, but preferred to see the draft charter rejected
Through this approach, reformers would have about one more year to finish the reform work before holding an election, he said.
Wanchai said the ongoing reform was like a social contract with the public, and as such it was the duty of the concerned bodies, including the NRC, to accomplish it, although he was yet to see a solid reform foundation laid.
NRC member Paiboon Nitita-wan said some members would gather signatures from colleagues in support of having a question on the need to complete reform before elections inserted in the referendum on the new charter.
Paiboon said Suthep’s proposal of reforming the country without a timeframe was his personal view, but extending the work by two years should be more than enough.
