Recently, the office of NESDB held a meeting, entitled "Setting up the National Economic and Social Council" at Dej Sanitwongse conference room.
Dr.Sippanondha Ketudat, Chairman of the National Economic and Social development Commttee (NESDC), as a chairman of the meeting, gave an opening address that His Majestv King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted approval on the New Constitution. As for the Code, no.5. Article 89, the government was assigned to set up the national economic and social council for making recommendations and counseling in various economic and social development problems to the Cabinet. In this regards, the NESDC and the office of the NESDB jointly held a meeting for brainstorming ideas on objectives, organization and guidelines of the council. Participants consisted of distinguish experts, former legislators, senators and relevant private sectors, such as Dr.Sumet Tantivejakul, Dr.Prawase Wasi, Dr.Kramol Tongthammachat, Mr.Kaewsan Athipoth, Ms.Srisawang Pouwongpathya, Mr.Dhanin Chearavanont, Dr.Maruey Padungsith.
After that. Secretary-General of NESDB, Wirat Wattanasiritham, dilivered background of the meeting that the government set up the policy formulation and coordination committee for the New Constitution, chaired by Drputy Prime Minister, Pichai Rattakul. Responsibilities of the committee are to assign related agencies to co-ordinate and formulate laws and regulations according to the objectives of the New Constitution.
As a result, the NESDB established a working group for re- engineering its functions and structure, headed by Mr.Thammarak Karnpisit, Dr.Bowonsak Uwanno, a former legislator, Mr.Phiboon Wattanasiritham, a senator, Mr.Anak Nakabuth an expert of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) as councelors, and NESDB officials as members. Main duties of the working group are to lay out appropriate guidelines on legislation, concerning functions and responsibilities of the National Economic and Social Council, as well as improvement of the NESDB Act of B.E. 2521. Then, outcomes of the working group were send to the NESDC on November, 1997, and the brainstorming meeting was agreed to be held thereafter.
Giving an interview after the meeting, Mr.Thammarak said that the meeting unanimously approved an objective of the council, which is to deliberate and make recommendations to the Cabinet. The council, however, can not make decision on any problem. Moreover, the council will be a public assembly, which provides for all Thai to participate and discuss the national development programs and projects. In this regards, the national economic and social development plans will be consistent with basic needs of Thai people. Members of the council should be composed of representatives from all walks of life because different and excellent ideas would be beneficial. In addition, members of the council shall be in office for a definite term so that no one can hold absolute power in the council.
Mr.Thammarak further added that overlapping between the council and the NESDB will not occur. The NESDB will handle the planning process and other techniques, while, the council will make recommend on various development issues. About the secretariat of the council, Mr.Thammarak said, it should be compact and efficient according the current budget constraint.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 12, No.12: December 1997--
Dr.Sippanondha Ketudat, Chairman of the National Economic and Social development Commttee (NESDC), as a chairman of the meeting, gave an opening address that His Majestv King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted approval on the New Constitution. As for the Code, no.5. Article 89, the government was assigned to set up the national economic and social council for making recommendations and counseling in various economic and social development problems to the Cabinet. In this regards, the NESDC and the office of the NESDB jointly held a meeting for brainstorming ideas on objectives, organization and guidelines of the council. Participants consisted of distinguish experts, former legislators, senators and relevant private sectors, such as Dr.Sumet Tantivejakul, Dr.Prawase Wasi, Dr.Kramol Tongthammachat, Mr.Kaewsan Athipoth, Ms.Srisawang Pouwongpathya, Mr.Dhanin Chearavanont, Dr.Maruey Padungsith.
After that. Secretary-General of NESDB, Wirat Wattanasiritham, dilivered background of the meeting that the government set up the policy formulation and coordination committee for the New Constitution, chaired by Drputy Prime Minister, Pichai Rattakul. Responsibilities of the committee are to assign related agencies to co-ordinate and formulate laws and regulations according to the objectives of the New Constitution.
As a result, the NESDB established a working group for re- engineering its functions and structure, headed by Mr.Thammarak Karnpisit, Dr.Bowonsak Uwanno, a former legislator, Mr.Phiboon Wattanasiritham, a senator, Mr.Anak Nakabuth an expert of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) as councelors, and NESDB officials as members. Main duties of the working group are to lay out appropriate guidelines on legislation, concerning functions and responsibilities of the National Economic and Social Council, as well as improvement of the NESDB Act of B.E. 2521. Then, outcomes of the working group were send to the NESDC on November, 1997, and the brainstorming meeting was agreed to be held thereafter.
Giving an interview after the meeting, Mr.Thammarak said that the meeting unanimously approved an objective of the council, which is to deliberate and make recommendations to the Cabinet. The council, however, can not make decision on any problem. Moreover, the council will be a public assembly, which provides for all Thai to participate and discuss the national development programs and projects. In this regards, the national economic and social development plans will be consistent with basic needs of Thai people. Members of the council should be composed of representatives from all walks of life because different and excellent ideas would be beneficial. In addition, members of the council shall be in office for a definite term so that no one can hold absolute power in the council.
Mr.Thammarak further added that overlapping between the council and the NESDB will not occur. The NESDB will handle the planning process and other techniques, while, the council will make recommend on various development issues. About the secretariat of the council, Mr.Thammarak said, it should be compact and efficient according the current budget constraint.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 12, No.12: December 1997--