Progress rate frustrates
O ver the past few years, there has been no shortage of criticism of the regime’s ambitious plan to materialise national reform.
Two reform bodies were set up and later dissolved — the National Reform Council (NRC), which initiated 37 reform proposals, and subsequently, the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) which came up with 190 issues for national reform. But their work has been found wanting by many.
With the regime about to enter its fifth year in power, critics have seized the opportunity to voice their frustration at a lack of progress and how an important issue such as national reform is being driven by bureaucrats.
Among the areas of reform the regime has pledged to pursue is the overhaul of the police force. This is part of justice administration reform and has proven to be a tough nut to crack.
The government has recently appointed a new panel to review a proposal put forward by the police reform committee led by former supreme commander Boonsrang Niumpradit.
The new body is chaired by Meechai Ruchupan, head of the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC), a sign seen by political observers that the reform plan is now back on the drawing board.
Mr Meechai has reportedly visited police stations in Rayong to obtain first-hand information on police reform.
The criticism has found its way to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who this week came out to defend the government’s reform record. According to Gen Prayut, reform is a work in progress and the bureaucratic system is instrumental in driving the government’s efforts.
“A lot of people don’t understand reforms but I’d like to point out that the government has been doing it. The first phase is to engage every sector in resolving conflicts, improving laws, facilitating the conduct of business,” he was quoted as saying.
But Gen Prayut is not alone in fighting off the criticism.
Former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban turned up almost simultaneously to reaffirm support for the premier and Mr Meechai, and insisted that he and several politicians did not consider what the government was doing as a waste of time and resources.
“The prime minister has my sympathy. This [the criticism] isn’t unexpected. The reform will have impacts on those used to the old system. With [their] interests at stake, some will mount opposition,” Mr Suthep said during a live-stream on Facebook.
In his opinion, the regime has gone where no government has ventured before — laying down a clear framework for reform in the constitution, the country’s supreme law. According to political observers, this is perceived by some as a guarantee that the task of reform will be carried over to future administrations.
The chairman of the Muan Maha Prachachon Foundation, who in early April pledged to support a political party that would serve the people’s needs, not its own, is hopeful that there is still a chance for police reform.
Overhauling the police force was also among demands made by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which led months of street protests to oust the Pheu Thai Party-led administration in late 2013 and resulted in the 2014 coup.
Acknowledging that the regime might not be able to produce great leaps and step away with some unfinished businesses, Mr Suthep said implementing police reform marks a good start and the government has the public’s support under his belt.
“Do what can be done first before the elections, especially the police reform. If you can finish just one or two tasks, it’s okay. We can help push for the rest,” he said.