The heads of the National Reform Committee and the Reform Assembly unveiled the members of their panels yesterday and promised a concrete action plan for a better future for the country.
Anand said his panel consists of 19 persons he handpicked and appointed. He said he had difficulties selecting committee members as there are many qualified people. In selecting his panel members, he focused on the fact that they should come from different backgrounds with a vast range of expertise. Also they have to devote their time to the committee's work during the three years of its existence.
"We want people who have time at their disposal and should be able to join meetings regularly. That's why most committee members are elderly retirees or have no regular job," Anand said.
He added that his panel would work with Prawase's Reform Assembly and "walk alongside together like conjoined twins".
(click the picture to see the full list)
Anand said his panel would convene its first meeting this afternoon, and would meet twice a week after that on Mondays and Thursdays.
Among the members of the Anand panel are Vajiravudh College headmaster Chai-anan Samudavanija, economist Narong Phetprasert, academic Nidhi Eowsriwong, activist monk Phra Paisal Wisalo, historian Srisak Wallibhodama, former student activist and political scientist Seksan Prasertkul, and sociologist MR Akin Rapipat.
Anand said Prawase's panel would gather and analyse facts and information before presenting them to his committee. He added that his panel would also invite people to offer their opinions about reforms.
"We will focus on solving the problem of social inequality. We want society to have more justice and less inequality," he said.
He said both panels would suggest a concrete action plan to be implemented. "We will present our report to the public and the government. Our goal is focused on society, not the government. Any government can implement our proposal," Anand said.
In response to speculation that the ruling Democrat Party may take advantage of the reform efforts in its election campaigning, Anand said: "This work has no particular owner. Any political party can use it. We are not working for any political party or government in particular".
Prawase yesterday also disclosed the names of newly appointed members of his Reform Assembly. They consist of 27 people, six of whom are ex-officio members: heads of the Local Administrative Organisations Association, Council of University Presidents of Thailand, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers Association, and National Human Rights Commission. Others include poet Naovarat Pongpaiboon, journalist Manit Suksomjit, consumer activist Saree Ongsomwang, blind association head Torpong Selanond, and folk scholar Son Roopsoong.
Prawase said that his panel would first meet on July 14. He added that the assembly consists of people from various social sectors.
"Our work is not about reconciliation but it rather involves the future. In the past we were familiar with negative work but this time we will focus on the positive side too," he said.
Saree, secretary-general of the Consumer Protection Foundation, said yesterday that it was difficult for her to decide whether to join the government-appointed panel. She said that although many sceptics doubted about the reform efforts' success, she viewed the panel as a forum for civil society groups to push for their agendas.
"There's much division in society now so all the sides concerned should help find a way out for the country," she said.