Roundup: Thailand might undergo national reforms for 20 years: PM

Thailand might probably undergo major national reforms for as long as 20 years from now, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday.

Delivering an introductory speech on the government's one-year performances, Prayut said that the country is yet to undergo large-scale national reforms, but the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) are currently plans for the reforms.

The reforms might probably be carried out for 20 years from now, he said without elaboration. However, the premier confirmed that he still has one year and a half to stay in power until a general election is held under the military-designed roadmap and a newly-drafted constitution.

Eleven NRSA committees have been working on the reform plans in varied areas including political reforms, economic reforms, social reforms, educational reforms and judicial reforms, among others.

"My government cannot get national reforms done in one year as constantly pressed by critics. But that might probably be done for a 20-year time. However, I cannot stay beyond the roadmap and will leave it to politicians who will specify during their electoral campaigns ways and means to carry out (the reforms)," Prayut said.

Prayut rose to power in last year's bloodless coup staged by a military junta which he currently heads under the name of National Council for Peace and Order.

The roadmap to democracy, consequently designed by the junta toward a return to democratic rule, has been extended for more than a year and no nationwide polls will be held until the middle of 2017, according to the premier.

The premier added that his government has taken steps to turn the country into what he called "the people's state" to replace a "populist state" earlier heralded during the times of his predecessors, namely Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra - the former lady leader whom he deposed in last year's coup.

Prayut repeatedly urged all sides of society to stop engaging in any conflict of opinion and patiently await the national reform plans, which might be implemented in 20 years.

"Since democratic rule has been sacrificed for the sake of national reforms, every eligible citizen should definitely exert the democratic right in future elections instead of letting certain groups of people take helm of the state via electoral channels," he said.

All eligible voters should not only cast their votes in future elections but decide in the first place whether or not the national reform plans should be approved in a nationwide referendum, he added.

He said he will take responsibility for possibilities that such referendum might only see most respondents turn down the reform plans.

Prayut's critics have repeatedly pressed for him to call a nationwide election to return to democratic rule regardless of the time-consuming reform plans, however. Enditem