BANGKOK, 16 January 2014 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asserted during the reform forum that she was willing to listen to opinions from all sides while she was suggested by the private organizations to allow for a reform before holding the general election.
Accompanied by her deputies Kittiratt Na Ranong and Pongthep Thepkanchana, Ms Yingluck today opened a forum to discuss the effort toward national reformation. The participants comprised representatives from 12 private organizations, such as the Federation of Thai Industries, the Board of Trade of Thailand, the Thai Bankers’ Association and the Tourism Council of Thailand, and academics.
In her opening speech, the premier highlighted the necessity to draw up a reform roadmap that was unbiased while the government would not meddle with the reform process and would only act as coordinator. She vowed that opinions from every sector, including the People’s Democratic Reform Committee and the general public, would be encouraged and welcome.
During the discussion, Mr Vichai Assarasakorn, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, reiterated to the premier the private organizations’ stance to have a reform body established before the election, an agreement made by all political parties, a new election date set, and the caretaker government restructured. He particularly voiced support for the postponement of the polls, believing it could be done legally.
