Reform Assembly 'to consider a reconciliation panel'
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THE NATIONAL Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) may consider setting up a special reconciliation panel that includes outsiders to find solutions to national divisions, NRSA member General Lertrat Rattanawanich said yesterday.
Lertrat said the NRSA would today consider the suggestion to appoint a |reconciliation special committee.
“There might be another three to four groups in addition to the committee, which means outsiders would be allowed to join the committee,’’ he said.
He said the NRSA also resolved to have NRSA chairman Tinnapan Nakata appoint a panel of more than 10 members to drive reforms and coordinate with the Cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly and state agencies.
Today, the NRSA will also discuss the setting up of 12 reform committees, 10 of which would be established in accordance with Article 27 of the interim charter. Of the two other panels, one would be responsible for anti-corruption work and the other named after the assembly decides on its role.
Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, director of Rangsit University’s Thailand Reform Institute, yesterday questioned why the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) did not allow various sectors of society to take part in the charter drafting process.
He was sceptical over whether the CDC intentionally wanted the charter draft to be rejected in the public referendum.
He said the CDC had yet to live up to its promise to heed public opinions in drafting the charter. He said so far the public had not had an opportunity to participate at any stage.
He said the lack of public participation had produced an atmosphere not unlike that which prevailed for the 2007 charter drafting or during the time of the Borwornsak Uwanno drafting committee.
“If there is no public participation in drafting it, the public may not feel that they own the draft and they may not vote for it. It is not just the charter content that will indicate whether the public supports the draft, but also the perceived public involvement. Maybe the CDC does not want the draft to be passed,’’ he said.
