Not following govt’s 20-year strategic plan would violate new charter: Meechai

Lawmakers assigned to enact the new national strategic planning bill, meanwhile, would be expediting the work as per instructions from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, he added. 
Prayut, who chaired a meeting with the lawmakers on Tuesday, also invited the Constitution Drafting Commission and the National Council of Peace and Council (NCPO) to discuss the strategy, which is part of the national fundamental policies in the new charter. 
The meeting was held behind closed doors just before the Cabinet was set to meet to endorse its acknowledgement of His Majesty the King’s anointed heir. 
Prayut said he wanted them to help to draft a new bill that will facilitate the next government’s work but also ensure that it does not have power over future administrations, especially during the next five years as the present powers-that-be is expected to still remain in office. 
According to the new charter, the 20-year strategy will cover six sub-strategies, namely economic competency, human resource development, social equality, eco-friendly quality of life, governmental administration development and security.
The PM also urged the commission to draft a bill that allows it to lay a framework to accomplish the strategy’s goals. State agencies will also be required to come up with their action plans that are in line with the master plan once the new Act is passed. 

Public input needed in future
Meechai said the charter drafters, as well as personnel from the National Social and Economic Development Board, will work together under the Council of the State’s special legal working group. 
They also have to speed up the work because the new charter only gives them four months to finish the bill, so that the country has the framework for the implementation of the strategy and reform plans within a year after the charter goes into effect. 
The charter is currently awaiting the new king’s endorsement. The time frame is 90 days after the Cabinet submits the charter, which was done on November 9. 
Meechai played down concerns that the strategy is inflexible, saying future governments could actually adjust it but they would need to consult the public first as required by the charter and the new bill. 
He said the strategy had been extensively considered and deliberated by political bodies including the National Reform Steering Assembly and the National Legislative Assembly, and is therefore qualified for the country’s long-term vision. 
However, he said there would not be a problem if future governments chose not to implement the strategy as there was no commitment or penalties imposed in the new bill, though they may violate the charter by not following it. 
“This government is aiming for the Thailand 4.0 strategy [innovation based economy], for instance, but if [future governments] want to go back to riding a buffalo cart, then you must ask the public first if they want to ride the cart with you. If they say yes, only then can you adjust the plan,” Meechai said in response to opposing views voiced by some politicians.
Meechai also said he believes the NCPO will ease the restrictions imposed on political parties’ activities, though he said he could not assure whether this will happen shortly after the new political parties bill goes into effect. 
However, he said, political parties can make adjustments to the new rules set in the new bill.