The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) held its last meeting yesterday with members calling for more to be done to dispel popular perceptions that the assembly was ineffectual.
The NRSA convened for the last time yesterday to discuss an assembly panel's report on reform of the energy sector.
The NRSA picked up where the National Reform Council had left off to follow through the second phase of national reforms initiated by the National Council for Peace and Order.
The assembly itself has proceeded to the end of its lifeline according to the roadmap, with a number of proposed reform plans to be legislated in the National Legislative Assembly.
But critics have charged that the NRSA has not lived up to people's expectations and failed to produce real achievements that would set reforms into motion.
The assembly is due to present a report on its overall reform recommendations to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday.
Assembly member Kasit Piromya yesterday said more should be done to publicise the assembly's achievements, adding he was aware of mounting criticism of the assembly's work.
He expressed uncertainty whether the NRSA would be able to get assurances from Gen Prayut that the assembly's reform recommendations will be implemented.
Another assembly member, Wanchai Sornsiri, said he was disheartened by criticism the assembly was unproductive.
He said the NRSA has managed to make a difference, with at least some of its reform recommendations having been incorporated into the constitution and organic bills.
One example is the proposed primary vote to be introduced under the draft organic law on political parties, said Mr Wanchai.
He said it was essential the NRSA's recommendations in key reform areas announced to the public.
"We should put the word out so people who are bent on being judgemental will know," said Mr Wanchai.
Seri Suwannapanont, also an NRSA member, said it was a mistake to think the assembly was useless as the assembly has set the course for national reforms.
He maintained the NRSA did not act on reform, which is the government's job. Rather, the body recommended how and what should be done to bring them about.
Mr Seri cited the example of the assembly's recommendation to set up a court specialising in corruption cases, which was adopted.
The overall report by the NRSA will contain other aspects of reforms which will also be useful for changing the country for the better, he said.
"If one isn't overly focused on the negative, they will see the assembly was dedicated to its task," said Mr Seri.
NRSA vice-president Alongkor Ponlaboot said the NRSA developed reform plans based on the ideas conceived by the now-dissolved NRC, which mapped out 11 areas of improvement.
The reform issues as well as the national strategy are present in the constitution, said Mr Alongkorn.
He said the assembly has helped straighten out national problems, from tackling weaknesses in the country's democratic foundations to dealing with economic discrepancies.
The NRSA appointed 12 panels to work on reform recommendations.