The government is competing with protesters to take over the "political reform agenda" to break the current deadlock and steer the country towards next year's general election.
Suthep Thaugsuban, anti-government protest leader and secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, explains the panel’s proposals on national reform to representatives of the private sector during a meeting in Bangkok yesterday. THITI WANNAMONTHA
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday proposed the government's own version of a political reform forum to be brought together by permanent secretary to the PM's Office Minister Tongthong Chandransu.
"An invitation is extended to all sectors _ representatives of political parties, the private and business sectors, bureaucrats, educational institutes, civil society, lawyers, academics as well as the press _ to discuss practical ways for the country to move forward," Ms Yingluck said during a televised speech from Chiang Mai yesterday afternoon.
Ms Yingluck's reform panel is apparently an alternative to the "people's council" idea proposed by the anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.
The government insists the people's council plan, which Mr Suthep said will comprise representatives from all walks of life and function as a legislative assembly, is not possible under the current constitutional framework.
During her speech, Ms Yingluck reiterated that the royal decree for the House dissolution stipulated that the general election will be held on Feb 2.
She said the government's reform panel will meet in the meantime from now up to the next poll.
Ms Yingluck also echoed an earlier suggestion made by top officials on Wednesday that some form of agreement or public statement should be made in advance by all parties concerned on how reforms will be implemented after the election.
Ms Yingluck set the first meeting of the government's reform committee for Sunday at 9am.
Suranand Vejjajiva, the prime minister's secretary-general, told the Bangkok Post yesterday that Ms Yingluck had revived the idea of a national forum two days ago.
But before unveiling her initiative, the government sounded out various parties including the military, key Pheu Thai Party leaders, red shirts, academics and business groups on the initiative.
He said the government hopes that participants at the reform forum would all agree to issue a "social contract" to commit to reforms prior to the general election.
The government hopes that all stakeholders would agree to attend, he said, adding that the reform forum should run in parallel with the election which still must be held on 2 Feb next year.
The forum should be a discussion where all differing views can be aired. But it should not be a negotiation, he said. If there is agreement on the reform issues that need to be addressed, all participating parties should announce a social contract prior to the election to implement the reforms after the polls no matter what the result, he added.
Mr Suranand said that for example, if the forum identifies 10 reform issues and there is agreement on only three, then all parties should announce their social contract or commitment to implement the three issues after the elections and also agree to continue discussions on the remaining issues after the polls.
Should the latest political reform forum gain traction, the government would like the ongoing protests to end.
Ms Yingluck, meanwhile, said she will not take part in the forum herself.
Mr Tongthong would act as facilitator and coordinator to invite participants, make arrangements for the venue and take notes, Mr Suranand explained.
More details of the political reform forum still need to be worked out such as who would be invited to chair the forum. The chair, which is expected to act as moderator of the forum, needs to be a respected individual acceptable to participants.
At the opening of the forum, the oldest participant would be invited to conduct the process of electing the chairperson, he said.
Thai and international media are invited to monitor and witness the political reform forum adding that proceedings would be televised live.
Ms Yingluck said she would have no problem if Mr Suthep's People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) wants to participate in the gathering.
PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan, however, rejected the offer.
He said any political reform in the country must be carried out before an election can take place.
"An election will not lead to reform. It will lead to a vicious circle that obstructs the reform process itself. There is no point in joining her," Mr Akanat said.
He added that the PDRC will continue to galvanise support for its people's council reform plan from various professional organisations.
After meeting seven business organisations yesterday, the protest group said it will hold a "PDRC meeting with the press" at 10.30am today at the Royal Turf Club, he said.
Another programme called a "people's assembly platform" will be held from 9am to 4pm on Saturday at Thammasat University.
"These forums will allow participants to question and share ideas for the reform of the country," he said.