Dozens of civil society groups announced Monday they will set up of a "People's Council for Reform" to work in parallel with the government's National Reform Council (NRC).
Activists hold up campaign materials at a press conference Monday at the Oct 14 Memorial as they launch a campaign for a so-called People's Council for Reform, to "reduce disparities in society". (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)
They intend to provide policy makers with grassroots recommendations — ideas for reducing the gap between prosperity and poverty, while bolstering the basic right of people to participate in the democratic system.
Thirty-one civic organisations involved in political, social and environmental development, which include around 15,000 members, have joined together in the effort, saying all stakeholders, especially the people, must take part in reforms.
True reform could not be accomplished by only the 250 members of the NRC, they said.
Maitree Jongkriajak, a coordinator of Community Networks on Social and Political Reform, said the reformers should be made to respond to the public's needs.
They should have a say on what they want for development and reform. For example, he said people in the South clearly oppose the government's southern seaboard development project because it will drastically impact their livelihoods and the environment.
These projects include petrochemical industry investment, coal power plants and deep sea port construction.
"We have a right to determine what is good for us. We want to have policies on clean energy, food security and the rubber and palm industries," he said.
"That is our aim, and we will work to achieve these goals."
Chamroon Suaydee, a member of the Eastern People's Network, called for local protections, saying residents have suffered from the petrochemical industry for over 30 years.
The group also vowed to submit its draft reform measures on natural resource protection.
He said residents of eastern Thailand do not want coal power and petrochemical plants, which have forced them to abandon their way of life in agriculture and fisheries.
Air and water pollution, as well as illegal dumping of hazardous waste, had destroyed the environment, he said.
Prayong Doklamyai, coordinator of the Land Reform Network, called for urgent land management, providing land to the poor for living and income.
He said the gap between rich and poor is aggravated by the fact that the wealthy always have access to land.
The People's Council has pledged to release a reform agenda by the end of the month, saying the final report will eventually be submitted to the NRC.
Meanwhile, NRC president Thienchay Kiranandana officially received royal endorsement.
Afterward, he said the NRC will coordinate with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to achieve the goal of reforming the country.
"The NRC work covers a number of areas, especially law drafting and the principle of working with the NLA," he said.
"We have to provide information for the constitution drafting committee to finish the draft within the time frame."
Mr Thienchay also called upon NRC members to set a good example, particularly on the issues of harmony and reconciliation.
"We have to work fast and do our best because we all have different ideas. We will have to adjust to these differences in order to achieve reform," he said.
Mr Thienchay announced that the NRC will hold meetings twice a week.