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News : “Dhammocracy” Envisaged by Reform Group
To leverage rising public awareness of the reform movement, a group of noted academics and reformers yesterday pledged to push for reform ideologies that would transform the country's democracy into a " dhammocracy ", or democracy based on Buddhist philosophies and principles.
Sangsidh Piriyarangsan, an academic and chairman of the new Thailand Reform Institute (TRI) said the it would work in parallel with the National Reform Council (NRC) to consider reform ideas and check the government's implementation of reform. "We will act as a mirror to reflect public opinion on certain reform issues."
Sangsidh and Suriyasai Katasila, the institute's director, held a press conference on the objectives of the institute in developing the country under "dhammocratic" principles and strengthening citizen politics and political innovation.
"The strength of the community and people is the key to successful reform,'' Sangsidh said. The TRI will monitor legislation of organic laws for the constitution, elimination of outdated laws and deletion of laws blocking reform.
The institute has 19 members and six advisers. Some are NRC members and top academics and activists, such as for NRC members Rosana Tositrakul, Poldej Pinprateep, Anek Laothamatas, Niran Pitakwatchara, Banjerd Singkaneti, Banjong Nasae, Sirichai Mai-ngarm and Pipop Thongchai.
"When it comes to reform ideas, the institute may have different opinions from those presented by the NRC," he said.
The institute would discuss ideas gathered from civic groups, which have been debating ideas on different issues. Once the TRI agrees on reform ideas, it would forward them to the NRC. Since the NRC gathers most of its reform ideas from bureaucrats, the institute would draw ideas from civic groups. The NRC may not necessarily agree with proposals presented by the institute.
"We may present another side of the coin or different view or outlook and this will help the NRC to receive well-rounded information,'' he said.
"The National Council for Peace and Order must not block or hamper our activities and should not view our work as an anti-government movement since it has made reform the country's top agenda item, so it must brainstorm with all sectors of society," he said.
The TRI is expected to meet every two weeks and would hold a meeting of its network in mid-November. Suriyasai said some NRC members were institute members because they joined the founders' initiative in setting up the institute before the NRC came into existence. "This would not pose any problems for us in driving the institute's philosophies and meeting our objectives."
The institute received funding from Rangsit University, which supports the meeting venues. The institute has also raised funds by organizing seminars.
Sangsidh said the NCPO and NRC should establish a mechanism to ensure sustainable reform since the process cannot be completed in one year. The TRI's long-term vision is to push for a dynamic reform process so the public can adjust and cope with the changes.
"We aim to instill youth with political awareness so that we have them as our new alternative to escape from the vicious circle of politics and a failed education system," he said.
Pipop said TRI should point out strengths and weaknesses of previous charters from 1997 and 2007.
My Comment :
In my opinion it is good that the National Reform Council (NRC) to consider reform ideas and check the government's implementation of reform. "We will act as a mirror to reflect public opinion on certain reform issues." Because we will be able to know what the people want and to know the opinions of the individual. Next I agree that they have aim to instill youth with political awareness so that we have them as our new alternative to escape from the vicious circle of politics and a failed education system cause nowadays a study of the Thai nation progresses more slowly than the other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The country is rated Thai education series 8. Therefore, we should reform so that Thai children stepping on another country.
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