Calls for increased local funding,universities, at Jomtien seminar
Phasakorn Channgam
Despite objections from power-conscious politicians
and bureaucrats, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he plans to push
through a government-decentralization proposal that would see increases
in local funding and education.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talks about how decentralization is
‘essential’ in solving Thailand’s problems.
Speaking at the “Decentralization and Strengthening
of Local Self-Governance” seminar at Jomtien Beach’s Ambassador City
Hotel Dec. 18, the prime minister said he wants local budgets increased
by 35 percent and proposed a “one province, one university” project to
not only relieve crowding in Bangkok colleges, but boost research and
knowledge in all of Thailand’s 77 provinces.
Abhisit called decentralization of power “essential”
in solving the nation’s problems. It’s a view not shared by all,
especially those with vested interest in keeping power locked up in the
capital. But the premier said that despite objections, he plans to push
his proposal through.
“We need to think about the next step being a giant
leap forward for the organization of local government to have a role and
be truly strong,” he said.
The central government, he said, cannot solve every
problem by itself. A prime example of that, he said, is the
environmental crisis arising from the Maptaput industrial complex, where
residents last year won a legal bid to shut down 67 pollution-causing
projects until the government improved water quality, installed air
pollution monitoring stations and tightened regulations on hazardous
materials.
Solving issues like Maptaput, Abhisit said, requires
coordination from both central and local governments. Neither side has
the ability to solve such issues alone.
What’s really needed, he said, is more expertise at
the local level. While Thailand does have universities sprinkled around
the country, the best schools and the leading researchers are only in
Bangkok. That needs to change, Abhisit maintains.
The idea of “one province, one university” would put
institutions of higher education in each of the 76 provinces, many of
which currently don’t have one. “Local research can help solve problems,
such as public debt issues and narcotics,” Abhisit said.
