Leaders and other representatives of ten political parties joined a major debate, organized by Thai PBS at its convention hall on Friday evening. The event, which is a part of the public broadcaster’s coverage of the campaigning ahead of the general election next month, was moderated by Suthichai Yoon and Pornvadee Lathanadee.
Questions on the five subjects of most interest to the voters, based on a nationwide survey, were put to the representatives of the ten parties on the public’s behalf.
The debate was divided into four sessions:
During the first session, all the party leaders and representatives were asked: “During the first six months, if they are in government, what will they do to change the image of Thailand?”
The second session was for the party leaders and representatives to respond to key public policy questions gleaned from public fora held across the country. They were corruption in government bureaucracy, welfare, health and equality, the environment and clean air, poverty eradication and care of the elderly.
The third session was an opportunity for the participants to exchange and present views on issues of public interest, such as police and military reforms and populist policies.
The final session was a chance for the participants to highlight their major policies. They were also asked “If they are in the new government, what are the things they will not do for the country?”
Participants in the event included Chartthaipattana party leader Varawut Silpa-archa, Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, Chart Pattana Kla party leader Korn Chatikavanij, Democrat party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, Thai Liberal party leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, Thai Sang Thai party leader Sudarat Keyuraphan, Palang Pracharath representative Mingkwan Saengsuwan, United Thai Nation’s Witaya Kaewparadai and Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej of Pheu Thai party.
Responding to the first question about what the party will do to effect changes in Thailand during the first six months in government, Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin said they will address the quality of life and livelihood issues, instigate a debt moratorium for three years, create a fund to solve the household debt problem, arrange 50,000-baht interest free loans for the people and life insurance for the elderly.
Korn Chatikavanij said the Chart Pattana Kla party will emphasise increasing opportunities for people to earn more, reducing the cost of living through reforms of power, fuel and electricity pricing structures, amending unfair tax laws and enabling greater access to borrowing.
Chartthaipattana leader Varawut said his party will call for the writing of a new Constitution, help farmers get access to water for cultivation and reduce fuel prices.
The United Thai Nation party’s representative, Witaya Kaewparadai, said the party will continue the welfare card scheme, so each of the 12 million card holders will receive a 1,000 baht monthly allowance and better access to loans. They will also deal with the illegal narcotics problem.
Sereepisuth said that there are policies that can be implemented immediately, without additional funding, such as suppression of illegal narcotics and bureaucratic corruption. He pointed out that the National Anti-Corruption Commission is too centralised and should be decentralised, with some of its responsibilities to be shared to the police.
Democrat leader Jurin said price guarantees for tapioca, rubber and maize can be done quickly and funding should be injected into the economic system through community banks, SME funds and other routes, so the public and SMEs can access funding.
Move Forward leader Pita said that the party’s liquor liberalisation policy can be revived and implemented without a special budget allocation and there is plenty of land belonging to cooperatives which can be distributed to landless farmers to use for cultivation.
Palang Pracharat’s Mingkwan said the party has a plan to cut fuel, gas and power charges.
Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat said that the party will make helping those less fortunate a priority by amending about 1,400 laws and regulations which are unfair to them and the party will take care of Thai people from birth to old age by providing a 3,600 baht allowance. She added that the party will cut military spending on arms.
Pheu Thai’s Dr. Prommin said that the new government must be committed to providing services to the people and promoting higher incomes.
Farmers too must be developed through education, with the government finding new markets for their produce and reducing their debt. Additionally, 10,000 baht money will be injected into the e-wallet of every Thai over 16 years of age.
