The Pheu Thai and Democrat parties have slammed both the 20-year national strategic and reform plans being driven by the regime, terming them as "traps" for the country.
Pheu Thai key figure Chaturon Chaisang said the government has shown no interest in supporting national reconciliation or heeding any proposals raised by various political groups.
"Traps for the country are the 20-year national strategic plan and reform plan, through which the 2017 charter obliges the government and state organisations to follow, " said Mr Chaturon.
Those who fail to follow through on the plans could face an impeachment petition lodged with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) or criminal prosecution, he noted, adding the trap would last 20 years, which would "make the country unable to measure up to the world". The problem would be left to other generations to fix.
The Pheu Thai bigwig was speaking at a seminar about the future of Thai democracy, held Thursday at Thammasat University.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said both the national strategic and reforms plans, along with the 2017 charter, would be an impediment to the next government's work.
The former prime minister said anyone who has better plans than the government's 20-year national strategic plan must present them to the public.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the government will today submit the draft of the 20-year national strategic plan to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). However, he said the strategic plan can be amended more easily than the constitution.
PM's Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool, who will also present the plan to the NLA, said reforms should be a continual process which can bring about a big change to the country even after the election.
He said the previous "reforms before an election" campaign was merely an attempt by past political demonstrators to whip up political sentiment.
He was apparently referring to the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee which revved up its reform campaign during its street protests against the Pheu Thai Party-led government, which ultimately resulted in its downfall in the May 22, 2014 military coup. As a start, the government will update laws, starting next month.
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