About 60,000 callers offer ideas to govt Skip to main content

About 60,000 callers offer ideas to govt

The government's six-day campaign to solicit public opinions on how to help the country could attract some 60,000 phone-calls, it was disclosed yesterday, the last day of the drive. 

Apirak Kosayodhin, an adviser to the prime minister, told reporters at Government House that as of 3.30pm 55,796 calls were recorded and he expected the total to exceed 60,000 when the campaign ended at 8pm last night.

The "6 Days and 63 Million Ideas: Moving Thailand Forward" campaign was aimed at collecting opinions from the public through toll-free calls about how to reform the country. After, suggestions can be posted to PO Box 9999 and or emailed to www.pm.go.th/forward.
The largest number of calls - more than 12,000 - involved household economic problems such as debts and high costs of living, followed by political problems (more than 7,000), social welfare and education, Apirak said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that despite the campaign's title, it was impossible to get all 63 million Thais to phone in for the campaign. But the views and problems raised by callers could represent the people as the calls came from all age groups and a wide spectrum of society.
Many ministers took calls in the morning for a period before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting. They included Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Industry Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat, PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon, Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai, Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat, and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit.
Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat told reporters after he felt lucky, as most callers he took supported the government. He said that he answered about eight calls and people had complained about the high cost of living, debts with loan sharks or being out of work.
One woman told the government to be honest and refrain from nepotism, which she said would discourage many bureaucrats, he said. He replied that Cabinet members had to follow the prime minister's nine rules of conduct.
He said one caller identified himself as a fan of the ruling Democrat Party and one of the singers of a party song.
Human Security Minister Issara Somchai, another Democrat, said he had to hang up when one caller abused him and didn't allow him to explain.
"As far as I can remember, the caller complained about the economy being bad, mismanagement and told Abhisit to dissolve the House of Representatives," Issara said.
Another caller complained that the government's plan to raise minimum daily wages for labourers would affect her business, according to the minister.
However, he said that most of the callers he talked to yesterday offered moral support.
Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit said he answered seven calls and most people sought help for personal and household problems. He said one woman, who described herself as a Japanese man's housewife had rang from Japan, and urged the government to punish the culprits behind the recent violence and expressed concern it would be difficult for the reform efforts to succeed.
Pradit said that while he identified himself later in conversations to callers, none had complained about loan sharks.
In a related development, the Cabinet yesterday endorsed the appointment of eight members for the truth and reconciliation committee headed by former attorney-general Kanit na Nakorn.
Kanit nominated eight "experts" to sit on his committee, which is charged with finding facts about the recent political unrest that shook the country and shocked the world.
They are: Kitipong Kittiyarak, Jutharat Uaamnuay, Decha Sangkhlawan, Pairoj Pholphet, Manit Suksomchit, Ronnachai Kongsakon, Somchai Homlaor, and Surachai Likkhasitwattanakul.
The panel is required to complete its mission within two years.

The Nation

 

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