Reform plan to be finished in 2 months

The national reform plan is likely to be completed by March, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam says, insisting government agencies must comply with the plan or face punishment.

Speaking at a forum on reform before high-ranking officials from the Labour Ministry yesterday, Mr Wissanu said 13 panels have come up with information on reform and the plans have been screened by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

The cabinet has taken note of the plans, which will be made public on the NESDB’s website, the deputy premier said, adding it is now in the process of informing state agencies and the public of the details.

Petitions can be made to modify the plans and if agencies fail to adapt them accordingly they will be forced to work with what they have.

If the reform plans raised by different panels are deemed to be in conflict with each other, petitions can be made to the NESDB until Feb 25.

After that, the second draft of the national reform plan would be drawn up and sent to the National Strategy Committee, chaired by the prime minister, which could make further changes, Mr Wissanu said.

According to the deputy premier, the national reform plan is legally binding, based on the charter, and state agencies must implement it.

The agencies must lay out action plans on the matter with their goals set out, he said, adding the units responsible for the tasks must be identified and budget plans drawn up.

Mr Wissanu said the 13 reform panels will also monitor whether executives of agencies, ministers and officials proceed with the plans.

If they fail to pursue the tasks, warnings will be given to them, followed by reports sent to the cabinet and parliament, which may consider slashing their budgets.

No-confidence motions can also be filed against ministers in charge of the agencies while the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) would be petitioned to bring charges of malfeasance against those involved, the deputy premier said.

“This reform plan would serve as a guideline for the country to move forward. It also has a clear goal for the country to achieve the Thailand 4.0 economic model,” said Mr Wissanu.

He also played down concerns the reform plan and strategic plan would be in conflict with each other, saying the chiefs of each reform committee had already been informed about the strategic plan.