The National Reform Council will discuss the suggestions of its 18 panels to be included in the new constitution on Dec 15-17.
The summary of the proposals in each area is as follows:
Politics
Voters directly elect the prime minister and cabinet members. If in the first round of elections, none of the parties wins a majority, the two with the highest votes will compete in the second round. During an election, a caretaker government will be in charge, with permanent secretaries acting as ministers.
The 350 MPs will come from constituencies and need not be members of parties.
Half of the 144 senators will be elected — one for each province. The other half will come from profession groups.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission may prosecute suspects with the court without going through public attorneys. Corruption cases should also have no statute of limitations. A court should be set up to deal exclusively with corruption and malfeasance cases.
Party dissolution should be done only in cases where the offences are grave or involves the monarchy or attempts to topple democratic rule or affects national security and interests. It should apply only with the final court ruling.
On reconciliation, a party or political group may not obstruct and undermine unity or creates new conflicts.
Public administration
A national ethics and governance commission should be set up to develop the system and mechanisms on good governance. Guidelines should be laid down on how to restrict or reduce state role and minimise state intervention in market mechanisms. Long-term strategies will focus on national and people's interests as opposed to political parties' transient, incoherent policies aimed at winning votes.
Laws and judicial process
Drastic measures should be taken to effectively prevent crime. Officials, especially judicial ones, should not hold positions in state enterprises, except when they are from the agencies with controlling stakes in them and only when necessary.
An appeal court should also be set up for politicians instead of a single-tier court at present.
Local administration
The government must promote financial independence of local administrative organisations. Budgets will be allocated by area and by mission, with highest flexibility the ultimate goal. Revenue in an area should be booked as such and at least 60% of it must be allocated to the area instead of filling state coffers.
Education and human resources
An independent body should be set up to develop human resources, education and culture without intervention by interest groups.
Economy, finance and fiscal policy
Everyone should declare his income status to related agencies so struggling earners can be singled out for state aid. Taxing should be fair and its structure clear. Petitions should be allowed for controversial tax appraisals and individual rights must be protected. A people's pension system must be set up, focusing on sufficiency after retirement while not creating too big a fiscal burden.
Agriculture, industry, commerce, tourism and services
The government must have policies and measures no how to fulfil national visions and strategies with participation from all sides. A strategic goal can be set up such as making the 10% lowest-earning households earn at least 1 million baht a year. Trade laws should be improved to prevent monopoly.
Energy
Petroleum and natural fuels are to be defined as natural resources for public interest. Adequate energy must be procured at price levels operators do not make too big profits. Energy prices must reflect real costs.
Public health
The government must support and allocate sufficient and sustainable resources in line with economic and social conditions and based on comprehensiveness and fairness.
Natural resources and environment
A system and plans to manage resources must be prepared for sustainability alongside serious enforcement of laws. All groups must have equal access to the resources. An environment court must be set up to serve justice and resolve conflicts sustainably.
Media and informational technology
Freedom of the media must be constitutionally endorsed, as must equal access to state information. People must be encouraged to check the performances of the media while hate speech must not be allowed.
Society, communities, children, women senior citizens and the handicapped
Their rights to welfare must be constitutionally endorsed and facilitated, especially in transport, informational, IT and amenities.
Labour
Social security must protect the unemployed and saving promoted among workers. Fair wages and work safety must be guaranteed while the rights of sensitive groups and women with family burden must be protected.
Anti-corruption
People have the duty to monitor politicians at all levels. Mechanisms must be put in place to prevent flawed persons from entering politics.
Values, arts, ethics and religions
A master plan must be drafted to develop and promote arts and add value to it. A body must be formed on arts and culture with all groups taking part.
Sports
The government must support and upgrade sports activity for good health and better quality of life and mind, as well as national unity and pride. It must strive for excellence and add economic value.
Science and technology
The government must promote investment in scientific and technology infrastructure and increase budgets in line with the national development plan.
Consumer protection
An independent consumer protection group must be formed, as well as a consumers court, with judges proactively protecting consumers.