by Miss Supansa Surakong
Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of International Relations, Chulalongkorn University
To make matters better or worse?
This paper proposes Thai political situations and explores the relations between the 2007 draft and its possibility. Nowadays Thailand has faced political problems. General Surayud Chulanont is the current Prime Mister since General Sonthi Boonratklin overthrew the government of Thaksin Chinawatra in a coup d'etat on 19 September 2006. Then this government tries to draft a new constitution avoiding the means that causes corruption. The draft of 2007 constitution was completely last April among a lot of strong critique. The purpose, it increase the power of people while decrease the power of the government officials. Activities and mobs are still moving; each of them demands different requirements which lead Thailand to more conflicts today. Some groups absolutely reject this draft and the others standpoint still take part in many activity of participation campaign of temporary government hoping to challenge progressive development. My experience from observation at the local level, almost villagers take part in procedure of participation because they need to show their requirement to the government and the public although it was late. Actually, theirs demands maybe can not be contained in constitution but it does not mean that it's unnecessary. Most of them are the old problems such as political participation of people, check and balance the administration, and even general problems of villagers. All of requirements have been such a misgoverned or mishandle of Thai social structure up to now; the problems were not solved but were enlarge. Then I have a question whether constitution has a problem or not, or corruption can not be excluded from Thai social structure.
Thai social structure not only refers to the government officials but also include every part of social; some case maybe called interest. I'm not mean Thai is a lot of corruption normally but I intend to say corruption and lush for power are the main factor that move society forward progressively while causing more gab between the rich and the poor. Moral and ethnics have always been promoting for development Thai society. This view tends to challenge Thai society if it is possible to implement the values. Is it possible? I would like to explore some of its sector. For example, this draft between sector 82 and sector 83 of basic economic policy are seemingly conflict within its principle.
Sector 82: The State shall promote and encourage implementation of the philosophy of sufficiency economy.
Section 83: The State shall pursue the basic economic policy as follows:
(1) It shall promote and encourage a free economy, relying on market
mechanism, and to encourage sustainable economic development by
abolishing and refraining from unnecessary rules and regulations on
businesses unless economic necessity dictates otherwise. It shall not
engage in business activities in direct competition with the private sector
unless it is necessary to do so, e.g., to maintain the security of the State,
to protect public interests, or to provide public utilities.[1]
According to philosophy of sufficiency economy of His Majesty the King, is a philosophy that state stresses the middle path as the overriding principle for appreciate conduct by the populace at all levels. This applies to conduct at the level of individual, families, and communities, as well as to the choice of balanced development strategy for the nation so as to modernize in line with the forces of globalization while shielding against inevitable shocks and excesses that arise. "Sufficiency" means moderation and due consideration in all modes of conduct as well as the need for sufficient protection from internal and external shocks. To achieve this, the application of knowledge with prudence is essential. In particular, great care is needed in the utilization of untested theories and methodologies for planning and implementation. At the same time, it is essential to strength the moral fibre of the nation, so that everyone, particularly political and public officials, technocrats, businessman and financiered, adheres first and foremost to the principles of honesty and integrity.[2] We can explain in two sides; they intend to apply for allocating economic equality or decrease risk effects on free economy. In the other hand, it defines free economy by relying on market mechanism can be explained that its principle focus on capitalism which economical direction of Thailand is hard to challenge critical economy. Actually, almost government often recognizes how to increase productivity or maximize utilities of state more than the equality of living which interests are certainly on the hand of owner of transaction cost while sufficiency economy recognize how to provide wealth to the public within external factors. Besides, some extra cases face critical situation, government should control and solve economic problems. But they define allowing business sector to manage free business activities without state control. Depend on mechanism, whoever can seize resources and power, they've just have got a lot going for opportunities more than the others, so it's result in gap between the rich and the poor. As I've been heard, 20% of the rich seize 80% of resources of the poor and also become potentially high. It's not wrong to say that it is the result of capitalism or free economy.
In addition, this temporary government adds people power to participate with local administration by encouraging policy's way, checking the result of potential dangerous policy of resources and environments, and even checking local administration officials. Sometimes, it's hard to implement this process without local organization to manage because people may really not participate in important issues directly with many reasons such as excluding from local influences. At least, the basic policies on environmental projects are often confidential that almost are harmful to local villagers who live in those areas. For example, Pak Moon dam was built among strong disapproves of Ubonratchatani villagers. On 29 May 2007 resolution of the council of ministers mention that opened gate of Pak Moon dam thoroughly because of fisheries and agricultures, but two week later, their resolution was turn over absolutely. This is absolute decision that makes severe trouble to villagers. Where is of the participation public?
What is the alternative?
The modern era has grown both industrialization and increasing people, so technology and knowledge turn to be essential factors to control one's interests. Many conflicts have been changed from war into trade competition that we could be inevitably. The intention of constitution shall be served the public with equilibrium as much as possible by allocating real knowledge and informations especially development project and shall recognize how many cost the people may face. The state should lessen any risk more than focus on free economy suddenly while people have to protect own interest by following important news. Two sides shall cope with each other for decreasing more conflicts or mismanagement. So, the director only depends on transforming these sectors into acts and particular implementation.
[1] [http://www.parliament.go.th/parcy/sapa_db/committee_document_count.php?doc_id=1787]. Accessed June 23, 2007.
[2] "ปรัชญาเศรษฐกิจพอเพียง," ใน เอกสารประกอบการสัมมนาวิชาการประจำปี 2542 ณ โรงแรมแอมบาสเดอร์ซิตี้ จอมเทียน พัทยา วันที่ 18-19 ธันวาคม 2542, (กรุงเทพฯ: มูลนิธิชัยพัฒนา, 2542).