Society should endorse the "action plan" put forward by the National Reform Committee in order to make the most out of the present circumstances, its chairman Anand Panyarachun said yesterday.
Thai society is not interested in solving its own problems while too many people complain, heap verbal abuse on another and argue with hatred, he said.
"What can help Thailand is for everyone to talk to one another," he said.
People should look at someone not necessarily as an enemy but as an adversary who can talk with them.
Society should not be afraid of the reform movement, as it's a natural force for any society.
Thai society, which is rather conservative, must recognise the need for change.
The two biggest challenges facing the nation are bridging the social disparity between Bangkok and the rest of the country and inducing social justice.
"Infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, even good teachers are all concentrated in Bangkok ... Going this way, we won't survive," he said.
The most important disparity is the lack of political space for people who are in rural areas and are less well off.
It's not important whether the Abhisit government takes up the committee's action plan or not, as in the end the people would come out to support and push for the plan.
The committee has no political colour, neither bias nor hidden agenda, he said.
"The only thing that we have in common is that we want to work. And this is the beginning of a new social order for Thai society," Anand added.