Thailand’s national reform has become a buzzword since before the 2014 coup. It was mainly touted by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) with its motto “Reform Before Elections”. After the coup, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has, therefore, hailed national reform as its first priority claiming to reform the country in anticipation of elections.
The administration of the NCPO vis-a-vis national reform can clearly be seen from having people close and loyal to them appointed as members of the National Reform Council (NRC) in 2014 and subsequently the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) in 2016. The junta-appointed bodies were tasked to write up reports on various fronts of national reform. Nevertheless, the reform effort of NCPO has not ceased, it has even appointed a new committee to further the reform. Let’s get to know in brief the “National Reform Committee".
1. What is the National Reform Committee?
The National Reform Committee has been established by virtue of the Act on the Plans and National Reform BE 2560 (2017), aka the “National Reform Act” and is tasked to create action plans for national reform on various aspects as prescribed for in the 2017 Constitution and the National Reform Act as well as other work assigned by the National Strategic Committee.
Once the plans made by the National Reform Committee become effective, it shall have the mandate to monitor government agencies. And if any agencies are found to act not in compliance with the reform plans, the NRC shall approach them and ask for their cooperation to adjust their implementation to make it compliant with the plans. If no solution could be mutually found, the final say would go to the National Strategic Committee.
2. Where do members of the National Reform Committee come from?
Members of the National Reform Committee are appointed by the cabinet. And the cabinet that approved the appointment of the National Reform Committee is led by NCPO Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Junta Chief as the Prime Minister. In other word, the initial members of the National Reform Committee have been appointed by the NCPO.
3. Qualifications of members of the national reform and their terms
According to the National Reform Act, members of the NRC shall have Thai nationalities by birth and are not older than 75 years. They can remain in office five years at a time and can be recruited based on their knowledge and expertise or experience in national reform. An emphasis will be placed on representation of diverse groups among those with experience in the public sector, the private sector and civil society.
4. How many members are there in each of the National Reform Subcommittees?
There are at least ten National Reform Subcommittees, each with one chairperson, and not more than 13 members. In other word, each National Reform Subcommittee shall have no more than 14 members.
5. How do members of the National Reform Committee work on their planning and national reform?
Section 8 of the National Reform Act provides that action plans and procedure for national reform shall be made on eight issues including (1) politics, (2) public administration, (3) law, (4) justice system, (5) education, (6) economics, (7) natural resources and the environment, (8) public health, (9) mass communication and information technology, (10) social reform and (11) others as assigned by the cabinet.
6. How much time shall each National Reform Subcommittee have to develop their action plans and procedure for the reform?
Section 11 of the National Reform Act provides that each National Reform Subcommittee shall complete the preparation of their action plans on national reform within 90 days after which the plans shall be submitted for approval of the National Reform Committee within another 30 days, prior to being sent for the consideration of the National Strategic Committee which shall oversee the consistency of these action plans with the overall strategies and master plans.
7. Who are the members of the 11 National Reform Subcommittees?
It was published on 15 August 2017 in the Government Gazette that there shall be 11 National Reform Subcommittees including;
1) The Subcommittee on Political Reform whose members include Anek Laothamatas as chairperson, Theerapat Sereerangsan, Pornchai Trajuklworanon, Wannatham Kanchanasuwan, Gen. Titiwat Kamlang-ek, Pol Lt Gen Trithot Ronritthiwichai, Norarat Pimsen, Wanchai Sonsiri, Thapani Ajarawong, and Rawee Prachuabmao,
2) The Subcommittee on State Administration Reform whose members include Kridsada Boonrat as chairperson, Khun Ying Thipawadi Meksawan, Banthoon Lamsam, Pongsak Semsan, Wiboon Sanguanpong, Benjawan Sawangnithorn, Air Chief Marshal Apichat Penkitti, Thawin Pleansri, Kant Trakoonhoon, Arsis Anyapho, Prayad Puangchampa, and Surapong Malee.
3) The Subcommittee on Laws whose members include Borwornsak Uwanno as chairperson, Kittipong Urapeepatanapong, Kamnoon Sitthisaman, Sukhumpong Ngonkham, Nanthawat Baramanand, Suda Wisarutpit, Prasit Pathummarak, Prabhas Khongead, Gen. Jira Komutpong and Pirapit Wongwattanasan.
4) The Subcommittee on Justice System Reform whose members include Atcharapong Charuchinda as chairperson, Khun Ying Pornthip Rojanasunan, Sarawuthg Benjakul, Wanchai Rujanawong, Acting Sub Lt. Thawan Ruyaporn, Songkran Atchariyasap, Pol Lt Gen Amnuay Nimmano, Trakul Winitchaiphak, Lt Gen Kridsana Bawornrattanarak and Channarong Praneejit.
5) The Subcommittee on Economic Reform whose members include Prasarn Trairatworakul as chairperson, Chaiwat Wiboonsawat, Kobsak Phootrakul, Issara Wongkusolkit, Thewin Wongwanich, Nutthaporn Jatusripithak, Thaweesak Koanantakool, Sawangtham Laohathai, Chartsiri Sobhonpanich, Somchai Nakhiran and Patthama Thianwisitsakul.
6) The Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment Reform whose members include Royon Jitdon as chairperson, Banthoon Setthasirot, Kwanchai Duangsathaporn, Thorn Thamrongnawasawat, Sanchai Ketuworachai, Pawich Thalerngsri, Dr. Chuchai Suppawong, Admiral Apiwat Sriwatthana, Theerapat Prayoonsiri and Sitthi Ladawan.
7) The Subcommittee on Public Health whose members include Dr.Seree Toochinda as chairperson, Dr. Narong Sahamethapat, Dr. Piya Hanworawongchai, Somchai Jitsuthon, Panich Charoenpao, Dr.Phondet Pinpratheep,, Dr. Pirom Kanokrattanakul, Dr. Sophon Mekthon, Dr. Theerawat Hemajutha and Dr. Paiboon Suriwongpaisan.
8) The Subcommittee on Mass Communication and Information Technology whose members include Chirachai Moonthongroy as chairperson, ACM Khanit Suwannet, Thongchai Na Nakhon, Pradit Ruangdit, Prapha Hetrakul Srinuannad, Capt Prayuth Saowakhon, Seree Wongmontha, Kanokthip Rachatanan, Sutthichai Yoon, Sommai Praichat and Parichat Sathapitanon.
9) The Subcommittee on Social Reform whose members include Pitipon Puengbooon Na Ayuthaya as chairperson, Dr. Amphon Jindawattana, MR Chakkarot Chitrapong, Torpong Selanon, Wichian Chawalit, Winai Dalan, Anothai Ritpanyawong, Somdet Nilphan, Surin Jirawisit, Gen. Ronnachai Matchusunthornkul, Ennu Suesuwan, Maitree Inthasut and Chutinat Wongsauban.
10) The Subcommittee on Energy whose members include Pornchai Rujiprapha as chairperson, Samorjai Sooksumek, Manoon Siriwan, Dusit Kruangam, Bandit Uanarphon, Piyasawati Amaranand, Gen. Lertrat Ratanawanich, Sonchai Khamnoonset, Danucha Pitchayanand and Kawin Pangsupapit.
11) The Subcommittee on the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption and Abuse of Powers whose members include Panthep Klanarongran as chairperson, Klanarong Janthik, Admiral Pajun Tampratheep, Jet Tonnawanik, Permpong Chawarit, Mana Nimitmongkhol, Wicha Mahakhun, Wichai Atratsakorn, ACM Weerawit Khongsak, Anudit Kunakorn, Uthit Chaothian and Prayong Preeyajit.
All of those appointed as members of the National Reform Committee are familiar faces. Many had previously been appointed members of the National Reform Council (NRC) and National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), 46 of them in total. All of them have sat as members of the NRC for two terms and now they have got the chance to stay on for the third time. In addition, current and former government officials composed the second most of the NRC’s membership, at least 40 of them. This is followed by representation from the academics or experts (22), and the rest from private sector (7), politicians (3 and former members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) (2).