Lending a hand to a troubled nation

He tells The Nation's Somroutai Sapsomboon and Budsarakham Sinlapalavan his only reason for accepting the job is to help better the country - even if he has to lose. His analogy: a candle must burn in order to give light - and ultimately it melts.

Q : Why are you accepting this work?

A : King Prajadhipok's Institute chose me because it believed I wouldn't take sides and be highly independent. I see the country in turmoil and believe I can lend a helping hand - but how much I can do is another matter because if I do not do the job well, I will not be accepted. It's not easy to make everyone accept me and it's not that I have to prove to everyone I am neutral, but I believe I am.

If there is someone who is more capable, I am ready to step aside because this is not an affair for any particular person, but of the country. The most important thing is cooperation from every sector.

Q : What will be the format of the political reform?

It is a proposal for the country's democratic development which is broad and general. If the format is drawn as a political reform then it is as if we are following the government's order. The government is sporting enough to allow us to do it this way, but if it's going to use [our findings] or not is another matter.

Q : What is the objective of the mission?

A : We have yet to discuss that, because I want to bring ideas from everyone concerned and the ideas must be practical and bring hope to the people. We do not want it to be idealistic - that cannot be useful and cannot solve problems; or something that is too rigid and unacceptable by the majority. To solve problems in political development, we must have consistency and continuity. Some problems can be solved in one go, but some must be tackled in steps. This is not easy to explain to people because society wants a quick fix. On the other hand, quick fix solutions may meet with high resistance. So the middle path is the key.

Q : If some committee members boycott or refuse to take part in drafting the reform, will that pose problems in implementation?

A : Only a few people may refuse to take part. It does not mean that we will be divided with one group siding with the government and the other with the opposition. If the opposition doesn't want to take part, we still have to listen to it. They are part of our society.

Q : If the political reform draft is completed, but the opposition does not accept it, will it help bring reconciliation?

A : This is a problem. If the society does not accept the draft, then we fail. Let alone if the opposition doesn't accept it. If the majority of society accepts it, but the opposition does not, it must give reasons. We will know after evaluation we have more opponents or supporters for the draft.

Q : The opposition said the committee would take eight months to complete the draft, to buy time for the government.

A : No, that's not true. If we want to rush through it we can - but how clear would the draft be and how could it help reduce conflict between two groups? I believe we have to attack the problems at the fundamental

level. If we want to conduct a public hearing, how can we take a shorter time? I am not afraid of being accused of being a tool by anyone. If the society does not agree with the draft, I will accept it. There has to be someone taking this job. If the draft benefits the country, then it is good.

I can't understand if we all work for the country, why we [should] meet with opposition. We do not intend to buy time for the government. The government's survival depends on whether it can solve the problems facing the country, such as the economic problems, and whether it can answer the opposition in Parliament, and whether the public have trust and faith in it.

Q : If the government ends its administration before the eight month period, will the committee continue?

A : It depends on the new government. If the government sends a signal, such as not agreeing with the conduct of public hearings, then we can't continue. If that's the case, I believe the institute might do a survey or hold small scale public hearings, so that we did not waste time and energy. Should the institute's board be replaced, and the new board changes its policy, then there would be no use in our continuing.

I am resigned to the fact that I will only lose or get even, but I agree with what Professor Borwornsak Uwanno told me: the country is in the dark and we need someone to light a candle. The candle brings light but then it will melt after that. We accept the melting so as to give light to others. I want the time to prove I am not a tool of anyone.

Q : How can reform bring reconciliation?

A : We have to try-but it can't be 100 per cent because there are reasons why we have divisions. Even if we can't bring reconciliation, we should help the country reduce its problems to a minimum. I do not hope for both sides to give each other a handshake, but how we stop the conflicts from turning violent? How we can live together though we think differently? There are only a few provisions in the Constitution that are controversial. If we can amend these clauses, I believe the problems can be reduced. However amending the Constitution without tackling other issues will not end the problems.

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Dr Suchit Bunbongkarn

Education

-Doctorate degree on Comparative Politics and Law and International Relations from Fletcher School of Diplomacy,Tufts University, Medford Mass, U.S.A.

-Master degree on Comparative Politics and International Relations from Fletcher School of Law Diplomacy, Tufts Diplomacy, Tufts

-Bachelor degree from Chulalongkorn University's Political Science

Work record

- National Legislative Assembly member

- professor emeritus of Chulalongkorn University's Political Science

- Constitution Court judge

- Dean of Chulalongkorn University's Political Science

- Constitution Drafting member (1997 Constitution)