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Many voices brainstorm for reform

The government yesterday initiated a brainstorming session for national reform in which more than 50 people were allotted two minutes each to say what they thought needed to be addressed the most.

A wide range of issues was mentioned, including social and economic disparities, justice, political reconciliation, education reform, political participation, welfare, food security, opposition to large-dam construction and gold mining that affects local villagers, decentralisation, corruption and other abuses by bureaucrats and politicians, the need for political and media reform and more.

Some 400 individuals participated, including many veteran non-governmental-organisation leaders, while social critic Prawase Wasi stressed the need to capitalise on the crisis by launching reform.

Prawase said the American Civil War saw 625,000 of the 31 million population at that time killed, but Thailand did not lose that many in the past two months because: "Thais have good hearts."

He urged people to think outside the box to reform Thailand and said that society, not politicians, should lead the process.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva attended the latter part of the session, which was held at Muang Thong Thani. He said the entire process might take three years, longer than the term of the present administration.

The PM said he would find people to lead the process over the next week. Suggested names include Prawase, former prime minister Anand Panyarachun and junta-appointed social development and human security minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham.

Abhisit thanked the participants for not losing heart in pursuing national reform despite the present political situation and admitted the gathering had already drawn some criticism.

Some have accused the government of wanting to buy time and detract from "real issues", such as taking political responsibility for the military crackdown on red shirts. Non-participation by red shirts means a common vision will be hard to attain.

"There are a number of people who are still not confident about participating or too paranoid to do so," Abhisit said.

Session participant Pairoh Mongkolboonluelert, a community activist from Samut Songkram province, told The Nation it might be best to disassociate the entire task from people close to Prawase and the Health Promotion Fund, because they had a clear agenda of what they wanted to accomplish.

"They have their directions drawn already, and I don't agree with them. Perhaps having a people's council would be better suited," he said.

"Also, nothing much can really be done, because the Democrats dare not reform the bureaucracy because they depend on it to be their political shield."

Another participant, veteran development worker Dej Poomkaja, said he thought what Abhisit said and initiated was "wonderful" but added that he was not certain of Abhisit's sincerity.

Some of those who received two minutes to address the gathering said national reconciliation was needed.

"Soldiers should be sent to heal the deep wounds. They must be neutral and have good conversational and psychological skills," said Paethay Pathumchantarat.

Another participant, Jurayu Yindeesuk, said: "I think there should be a national centre for protest, so they can just protest and not shut down Bangkok."

At least one participant was not quite sure about the process yet.

"We must ask what we are here to do today," said a veteran Bangkok journalist who introduced himself as Charas but declined to give his surname.

 

Changes for a new Thailand

Issues the government needs to tackle in the upcoming reforms:

Resource management/allocation: Giving people and local communities a say in the decision-making process, etc; 

Income gap: Developing a diversified economy; solving farmers' debt problems; providing fair opportunities, etc; 

Education: Promoting respect for different opinions; a sense of duty as citizens; morality; designing education to meet the needs of society, etc; 

Social issues: children, public participation and social equality;

Administration of government agencies/laws: Reforming bureaucracy so it is in the best interest of the public; solving structural problems etc;

Politics/democracy: Encouraging ethical people to join politics; implementing political reforms, etc; 

Media: Allowing the public to take part in providing content; promoting constructive media, etc.

Source: 
<p>http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/06/18/politics/Many-voices-brainstorm-for-reform-30131833.html</p>

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