Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha did not rule out the possibility that he could become the next prime minister while he said his current task was to map out the country's reform process to transform Thailand into a "developed country" over the next 20 years.
The government's ambitious plan targets a broad set of reforms in a variety of fields including human resources, education and social reconciliation to spur a shift towards innovative technologies and take advantage of Thailand's geography to transform it into a regional connectivity centre, said Gen Prayut.
"These measures are aimed at assisting Thailand to escape the middle-income trap and become a developed country by 2036," he told around 500 participants, including businessmen, state officials and diplomats, at the Bangkok Post Forum 2016 under the theme "Moving Thailand Forward" organised Wednesday by Post Publishing Plc at the Vibhavadee Ballroom, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao.
The forum was held with close to 250 security officers present.
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"The long-term plan does not mean politicians cannot introduce standalone policies in the future. They can administer the country based on their policies and this strategic plan," he said.
Introducing Gen Prayut at the Forum, Suthikiati Chirathivat, chairman of Post Publishing Plc, said, "I love and respect the general very much. I'm sure he will be the next prime minister."
Gen Prayut did not reject the possibility of becoming the next prime minister after elections expected next year, stressing his current priority as prime minister was to follow his political "roadmap".
"There is no need to discuss if I will become the next prime minister or not because that is a matter for the future. Right now the important thing is to get to elections next year to allow the people of Thailand to decide what they want."
"I will leave on the first day of parliamentary meetings. I will leave but what will be left behind are the 104 executive orders or my Section 44 orders that have been issued and these are laws that currently govern reform, sustainability and stability."
He said that while he could invoke Section 44 of the interim charter to implement economic policy, he would refrain as that could erode investor confidence.
Gen Prayut told the forum a key goal that must be achieved is national unity, admitting much work is still needed to improve the political environment.
He said his job was to balance politicians' interests with public expectations.
"If rules are too tough, politicians will experience trouble but if they are too lenient, the old unfavourable situation will return."
He also admitted GDP growth in 2016 might be below original expectations.
"Our economic development over the past 30 years was the problem. There is a need for an overhaul of the economy... and we have to move Thailand forward so the important thing is a long-term national development plan," he said.
"In the past we only had the National Economic and Social Development Board's development plans which have never been fully implemented. If we can provide a framework for the next 20 years there might be a chance that we can move forward in a predictable way."
Gen Prayut explained that the national development plan is more of a general framework that can be changed. He said the reason the strategy spans 20 years is to ensure continuity in the development of human resources and education.
"Our educational and labour goals under this new strategy aim to create a new generation of workers that is stronger and more capable, and for that we have to start reform at the elementary school level. This is why it will take 20 years to do so."
Gen Prayut said problems over the past three decades stemmed from corruption, a lack of research and development initiatives and human resource development along with a lack of continuity in implementation of regulations and agreements.
"I have been to many international meetings now and there are always talks about memorandums of understanding and various agreements but my question is how many of them have actually been implemented during elected civilian governments?" he asked.
"The next elected government has to give importance to bilateral trade, the implementation of agreements and lifting our national standards in order to meet evolving international standards."
Gen Prayut explained that the four guidelines to rebuild the economy include strengthening the economy at the grassroots level via measures such as the village fund policy.
Second is the promotion of "Thailand Connect" by connecting domestic transport systems and creating transport links with countries such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and India via rail, land, air and water links.
Third is pushing the "Thailand 4.0" model to transition from heavy industry toward a value-based economy based on technology, knowledge, creativity and innovation. He also identified five future industries, or the "new S curve", which consists of robotics, aviation/logistics, biofuels/biochemicals, the digital industry and medical services.
Fourth is the Eastern Economic Corridor project to build on the success of the Eastern Seaboard by creating special economic zones in border areas and linking Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut and Rayong via road transport systems, airports and ports.
Gen Prayut also revealed that the military government had spent the last two years boosting GDP growth from 0.8% in 2014 to 2.8% in 2015 and to 3.2% in the first quarter of this year.
"GDP growth by the end of the year should be around 3.5%," he said.