Respected fellow Thai citizens,

Amid the ongoing political conflict, I would like to express my gratitude to academicians, businessmen, and fellow citizens from various sectors who wish well for the country and have given opinions in order to find a resolution out of the present conflict cycle for our beloved country.

From different discussion fora, seminars or various opinions expressed through mass media during the previous two weeks, I gathered that most do share similar opinions, particularly on public participation in political decision-making, the inspection of the use of governmental power at all levels, strengthening the political system and political development, and protection of democratic system with the King as Head of State.

In various reform fora, a proposal to establish a body for national reform has been made. After due consideration, such a proposal could be carried out in parallel with the general election to be held on              2 February 2014, as stipulated in the Royal Decree.

I fully agree that it is now time for us to help develop a mechanism which would push forward and make national reform a reality. On this occasion, I would like to propose a model of the entity to be established, which may be referred to as the “National Reform Council”.

Fellow Thai citizens may question who will become members of the National Reform Council. I would like to affirm at the outset that the National Reform Council is not a government forum.  If all parties mutually agree, the government will only establish the council by an order of the Prime Minister’s Office which will be acknowledged by the Cabinet to ensure that the process can begin immediately.

The National Reform Council will be a genuine council of the people’s representatives. Selection of members of the National Reform Council will begin with the recruitment of 2,000 representatives from various professions. Thereafter, the 2,000 representatives will select 499 members of the National Reform Council.

Qualifications, criteria, application method, recruitment and appointment of representatives of professional groups as well as selection of members of the National Reform Council will be determined by a commission comprising qualified and knowledgeable persons comprising the following members:

            1. The Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces or a representative of the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, which may be either the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, or the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force;

            2. Two Permanent Secretary-level persons nominated from the meeting body of permanent secretaries of the ministries and head of agencies;

            3. The Secretary General of the National Economic and Social Development Board;

           4. One university president nominated from the meeting body of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand;

            5. Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce or representative;

            6. Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries or representative;

            7. Chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association or representative;

            8. The Chairperson and two experts will be nominated by the above commission members.

            This committee, thus, will comprise 11 members.

The responsibilities of the National Reform Council, I propose, are:

            1. To study and prepare proposals for amendment of the Constitution, which may include preparation of draft amendment of the Constitution;

            2. To study and prepare proposals for the national economic and social restructuring, and to study and prepare proposals on people’s participation in public administration;

            3. To study and prepare proposals for amendment or abrogation of law, rules, regulations or commands in order to ensure fairness and transparency of elections in every level, selection and appointment of persons for various positions, exercise of government authority, and inspection of government’s use of power;

            4. To study and prepare proposals for prevention and suppression of corruptions and misconducts in public agencies, both of political officials and permanent officials of state agencies;

           5. To study and prepare proposals for improvement of decentralization of power, enhancement of legal knowledge, preparing and strengthening of local communities, regulation structure of state administration in all levels, improvement of budget system and procedures, and human resources management in the public sector.

Once the National Reform Council’s work on one of the above points is completed, the National Reform Council must submit a report to the Prime Minister and publicly disclose the report for the subsequent implementations of parties concerned as per its intention. The timeframe for the implementation will be determined by the National Reform Council.

As for concerns regarding continuity, after the general elections on 2 February 2014 and after the assumption to office of the new Government, there will be stipulation that once the new Cabinet assumes office, the Secretary-General to the Cabinet must present the report to the Prime minister and the Cabinet for their approval of the implementation based on the intent and direction agreed upon by all parties.

What I have said is a model proposed for discussions and exchanges from all sides. The Government will compile comments and suggestions for further improvement and will issue an Order before the end of this year.

I would like to invite all sectors to realize that this is the most important task in Thai history on national reform and the duty of all Thai citizens to assist in this national reform in order to achieve the utmost benefit for the people, for a peaceful and reconciliatory society, loving and united and for the future of our children and grandchildren.

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