The National Legislative Assembly has voted unanimously to approve the National Strategy, with binding effect over the next 20 years and penalties for non-compliance.
After the 179-0 vote in favour on Friday, the strategy will be submitted for royal endorsement by the prime minister within 20 days.
Once royally approved, a drafting panel will be appointed in 60 days to prepare a master plan for each of the six strategic areas to achieve the goals set in the law within 120 days. The master plans will then be approved by the National Strategy Committee and then the cabinet.
The six strategic areas are security, competitiveness enhancement, human resource development, social equality, green growth and rebalancing and public sector development.
On security, the key focuses are national security, keeping people happy, managing situations to ensure security, safety and order at all levels, as well as preventing and solving existing and future security challenges.
On competitiveness enhancement, the focus is on upgrading national potential on multiple dimensions based on three concepts.
“Building on the past” goes back to the roots and apply them to new economic and social environments. “Adjusting the present” paves the way to the future through infrastructure development in several dimensions. “Creating new values for the future” enhances the potential of operators to meet market demands.
On human resource development, improvements will be made at all levels and in all age groups so Thais will be good, competent and high-quality citizens for their country.
On social equality, the focus is on pulling resources from all sectors to steer changes and supporting people’s assemblies to mobilise ideas for public interests.
Steering environmentally friendly growth aims to build sustainable development in all dimensions.
Rebalancing and public-sector development aim to reinvent the public sector so it has the size that matches its missions and can adapt itself to the changing world. They will also instil a conscience which rejects all forms of corruption in all officials.
All government agencies and public organisations must comply with the master plans and budget allocations must be in line with them.
Any policy proposed by a political party must be within the national strategic framework. A government’s policy statement or budget allocations must also be in compliance with it.
Compliance with the strategy will be monitored by the National Strategy Committee, which will inform the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) if it sees a non-compliance. The NACC will then consider the case and if any agency is found guilty of malfeasance, its chief may face suspension from public offices or from position, expulsion or a jail term.
Senators, who will be appointed by the junta shortly before the general election, are also tasked with monitoring compliance with the strategy. Since they serve a five-year term, a year longer than a government's, they will continue this duty under at least two governments.
The national strategy will be reviewed every five years and may be changed when the situations at the global or national levels warrant it but a parliamentary review must be sought first.
The National Strategy Committee comprises the prime minister; speakers of the Houses and the Senate; a deputy prime minister or minister; Defence permanent secretary; chiefs of the armed forces, army, navy, air force and police; secretary general of the National Security Council; chairman of the National Economic and Social Development Board; heads of the Board of Trade, Federation of Thai Industries, Tourism Council of Thailand and Thai Bankers Association.