Prayut beefs up social contract
Focus on stamping out graft, populist policies
A ban against governments using their executive powers for political gain, ensuring political parties take responsibility for their announced policies, and respecting different viewpoints are among 15 points proposed by Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha for the regime’s unity pact.
The 15 items are part of the appendix raised by the premier to be added to the 10-point social contract draft.
The items were introduced as around 300 stakeholders attended a public hearing on the draft at the 1st Army Region yesterday, including Chavalit Wichayasuthi, acting Pheu Thai deputy secretary-general; Thana Chirawinit, a key member of the Democrat Party; and Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD); and other civic groups.
Among the points put forward by the prime minister, future administrations must refrain from using power only to generate political popularity, while mechanisms must be in place to make sure political parties are responsible for policies for which they failed to properly assess possible effects, benefits and risks.
Those holding office must perform their duties with integrity and be accountable to the people, according to Gen Prayut’s proposals.
“Policy-level graft must be subject to stringent examination, such as checking on canvassing policies delivered by political parties and allowing people to participate in the scrutiny of state assets,” Gen Prayut’s message read. “All politicians must uphold morality and professional ethics and those in the political sphere must improve the process of selecting people coming into politics.”
The premier also called on Thais to respect different viewpoints, while political institutions must be strengthened so they will lead to free and fair elections. “They need to accept the results of elections, which are fair and reflect good governance,” the appendix read.
State organisations must follow the merit system by having mechanisms in place to prevent those in power from interfering with their work or transferring staff, as well as eliminate position-buying and bribery.
Mr Chavalit said most of the prime minister’s 15-point appendix is already in the charter, for example, that political parties’ policies must be in line with the national strategy.
The reconciliation building process must start by looking at the cause of conflicts, but this was not mentioned in the forum, he said.
“There is still no clear indication who will be asked to sign the contract, so how can we even call this a social contract?,” Mr Chavalit said.
Gen Prayut’s proposals come i n addition to the 10 points proposed for the pact, which were revealed at the forum yesterday.
The first point concerns cooperation by all Thais to create a conciliatory atmosphere. People must use their rights and freedoms in line with the law, respect different opinions and enhance political institutions’ strength, which would lead to free and fair elections as well as recognised election results.
Second, Thai people should adopt the late King’s initiatives in their daily lives. Work must be carried out to strengthen local jobs and the economy, which will be linked with the free market.
Third, all Thais must adhere to ethics, morality and integrity and refrain from supporting graft and malfeasance. Work must be done to halt corruption at every level.
Next, Thais should work together to conserve natural resources and the environment.
Fifth, Thais should support health care and education, which is broadly accessible and equal. The sixth point concerns requirements for all Thais to respect and obey the law as well as support the legal process to ensure social order.
Next, Thais should receive information from various media channels with caution and work together to prevent the distortion of information and release of fake news, which could trigger social rifts.
The eighth calls on Thais to ensure the country’s standards are on par with international agreements which Thailand has signed up to. The ninth urges Thai people to support national reforms in all aspects. Last, all Thais should help steer the country forward in line with the national strategy.
Mr Jatuporn said he hoped reconciliation can be achieved.
“I am happy to give cooperation from the beginning to the end. I and the UDD will not be a hindrance,” he said. “I hope that reconciliation can be achieved. If not, crises will loom large in the future,” said the red-shirt leader. “Although this [social contract] is still abstract, the prime minister still has time left to make it tangible.”
Mr Jatuporn said after reconciliation is built, he hopes the country will not return to times of crisis, whereby the military has to step in again.
Mr Thana said he sees the government’s determination to push for reconciliation and he and his Democrat Party support reconciliation in which the people’s interests are taken into account.
He declined, however, to comment on the social contract draft.