Politicians said they are ready to follow the 20-year national strategy, published in the <i>Royal Gazette</i> on Saturday, with the aim of turning Thailand into a developed country by 2037, but worry it could end up outdated or may not come to pass.
Critics said it is a tool for the junta regime to get rid of an elected government in the future.
Pheu Thai caretaker deputy secretary-general Chavalit Vichayasuthi said that as the national strategy has been announced, those who work in politics must study it and prepare to follow it.
"The world is changing very fast. [Revising the national strategy every] five years might be too late. And there should not have been any penalty stipulated [against those who have different policies]," he said.
He added that for him, amending the constitution as a whole would be a higher priority than changing this law in particular.
According to the 2017 constitution, 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 party must be within the national strategic framework.
Government policy statements and budget allocations must also be in compliance with it, the charter says.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked Thais to study the national strategy so they understand the direction the country is taking.
"The strategy and reform efforts are interconnected," he said.
"The period over the next five years is the most important as the next government will have to follow this framework, although it can be adjusted."
The spokesman said the PM did not aim to prolong his power.
Democrat former MP Rachada Dhnadirek said the national strategy is a good thing and she did not see any threat as "it touches everything," she said.
"And even when it specifies something, it is in line with what any government would do anyway," she added.
She noted that what is more important is the implementation.
"Do state agencies really realise their roles and commit to implementing the strategy without corruption?" she said.
Thanikan Pornpongsaroj, an executive-elect of Palang Pracharath Party, said that after reading the national strategy she still sees the gaps in people's mindset, access and use of resources as well as gaps in management.
"I see the possibility of transforming to digitalisation while the young generation are knowledgeable and have the basic skills to use technologies in their daily life," she said.
"Meanwhile, the English language will open the door to a global level."
She said that besides the use of big data, a common platform should be created for the sharing of cross-generation perspectives.
Meanwhile, Nuttaa Mahattana, a key member of People Who Want Elections group, said: "The evil of the 20-year national strategy does not only lie in its obsoleteness but in the attached power that will allow the toppling of an elected government."
She said any government pursuing a policy interpreted as not being in line with the national strategy will face legal action.
Likewise, red shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn wrote on Facebook Sunday that the 20-year national strategy would mean the power of the junta government would be prolonged for a long time.
He called on the people to vote for anti-regime MP candidates and oppose the 2017 constitution, the 20-year national strategy and all political work of the regime.
The 72-page document was drafted by panels appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order and endorsed by the cabinet in early June.
The National Legislative Assembly approved it a month later. According to the strategy, through its visions on "security, wealth and sustainability", Thailand will become a developed country based on the sufficiency economy philosophy.
The visions can be achieved by balancing security and economic, social and environmental developments. All parties will participate in the "Pracharat" scheme, the collaboration of state, private and social sectors, through six strategies.
They are the strategies on security; competitiveness enhancements; human resource development; creation of opportunities and social equality; environmentally friendly growth; and public-sector readjustments.
- See also: National Strategy now in effect
- Innovation plan proceeds: Proposal for new ministry under study
