Hope and anxiety over the new year

AS A THAI citizen, I would like to carry out my roles discreetly, honestly and to the best of my ability. I wish to see all Thais, in all occupations, also do the same for our country.

Everybody should acknowledge the fact that corruption is a significant problem in the country. In relation to this, the government has been pushing the issue and addressing it as part of the national agenda, which requires immediate solutions by enforcing law, tracking and intensely punishing wrongdoers of every case.

I believe that Thailand in 2016 will become more stable in political, social and economic aspects. I think many fundamental policies will be concretely carried out in the upcoming year.

I also think everybody knows what and what not to do this year.
ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA

DEMOCRAT PARTY LEADER

I WOULD like to be a good, law-abiding and active citizen to enhance Thai society. 

I will also raise awareness on key challenges Thailand is facing and offer solutions. These are included in my to-do list for this year. As for the not-to-do one, it is to be idle.

This year, I think the Kingdom will face economic problems and [political] transition back to normalcy. Proactive economic management and real democracy will provide solutions [for them].

Though concerned, I remain hopeful about the country’s situation this year.
SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN

CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REFORM FOUNDATION

As a Thai citizen, I would like to encourage fellow patriots to reform Thailand together. We will help one another create as much as we can. For instance, setting up vocational colleges, developing communities following the philosophy of the sufficiency economy, and taking care of the elderly.

Corruption is Thailand’s main problem. I think fellow patriots have to campaign for a morality-based society.

We also believe that our country will be better and more stable if the people are united.
JATUPORN PROMPAN

CHAIRMAN OF THE UNITED FRONT FOR DEMOCRACY AGAINST DICTATORSHIP

AS A Thai citizen, I would like to be a just man and be able to help stabilise the country’s situation, not worsen it.

Last year, declining social, economic and political issues hurt the country, and actually I can’t see how they will get any better this year. 

To solve the problems, the government has to understand that their root is the lack of democracy. This results in the country losing credit in the eyes of international community. I think the government should accept what has happened, stop blaming others and return power to the people. 

SURIYASAI KATASILA

DIRECTOR OF RANGSIT UNIVERSITY’S THAILAND REFORM INSTITUTE
THE YEAR 2016 may determine Thailand’s political faith. The government will enter the final part of its road map, the new draft charter will undergo a referendum process, and the micro economy could likely send a ripple to politics even more. 

This is not to mention the fact that there has been a simmering political rift in the country, a ticking time bomb, which could explode if the government fails to address concerned challenges properly. Hence, the situation in this coming year could be critical. The country’s problems are actually not the responsibility of one person. There should be cooperation as well as collective forces from both the people and the government to address and solve them.

We, the people, could and should do our best [to help the country] in the coming year, and start simply by respecting the rules of law.
RANGSIMAN ROME

STUDENT ACTIVIST AND NEW DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT MEMBER

I THINK Thailand’s most critical challenge now is that we are lacking democracy, and with that we are avoiding addressing real problems, and are consequently unable to find solutions to tackle them.

In 2016, there won’t be so much light for the country if the situation remains the same. I must say the country’s fate this year [2016] could be tough.

This coming year, my [activist] fellows and I will keep fighting for democracy so all parties can eventually talk together and tangibly solve problems.
SOMJIT POKRAJAN

STREET FOOD VENDOR, 60
I THINK I can help society by providing good quality food at a reasonable price. For instance, only Bt80 is required to buy three dishes from my shop, which is enough for an entire family. During the current economic recession, this would help lots of low-income earners. 

As for the disunity among people with different political views, I could help lift the situation by not provoking or inciting anybody. People can have different views and we should accept that.

PORAMET PALIT

MOTORCYCLE TAXI DRIVER, 42
I THINK everybody can help the country by volunteering like I do. I do my motorcycle runs from 8am to 9pm, and then join the Rama 9 rescue team to help victims of road accidents during the night. 

After the Erawan bomb, people have become insecure and are afraid of foreign criminals, so I cooperate with the police and inspect any suspicious activities or items and then report it.
SURIYA REWTHAONG

MOTORCYCLE TAXI DRIVER, 45

I THINK everybody can help the country by improving themselves via studying and getting a degree. With education, they will be able to think logically and make decisions by themselves. Even though I drive a motorcycle to make a living, I am working towards a university degree. 

Also, the media should be more careful about what they tell people, which could affect people’s thoughts and could also affect the nation. Civilians should interact and give feedback to media.

PARIT CHIWARAK

STUDENT, MATHAYOM 5 

Youths have very less of a voice when it comes to expressing opinions. Hence, we should have a public channel or space for youths to voice themselves. 

The country’s biggest problem is political conflicts, which stem from narrow-mindedness and violence. Blocking and oppressing people does not solve any problems, but open-mindedness would help. Therefore, a good education system with some space could unite people, and it doesn’t matter whether people are educated via formal or non-formal education.

APICHET “MADAEW’ ATILATTANA

SCHOOL STUDENT, 16, KNOWN FOR HIS UNUSUAL FASHION DESIGNS

AS A Thai citizen, I think Thailand is like a big house, where the residents have to be honest, compromise, and be kind in order to make it more comfortable to live. 

As a Thai youth, I think our country still lacks people who are eager to do what they want, who dare to think different. So I want to urge every Thai youth to show their thoughts, their feelings, in a bid to make our country a better place to live.