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Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 1 of 22
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
We are at an interesting time of political transition, and many of you may
be trying to envisage what Thailand’s new normal will be when we finally
emerge. My predictions are probably as good as yours. With the benefit
of hindsight, however, we can see that globalization, consumerism,
extravagance, dishonesty, and immoderation have led to management
failures in both government and business.
It is therefore time to have a better understanding of our past behaviour
and how it contributed to the present situation. We should be mindful of
the Sufficiency Economy thinking formulated by His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej in terms of its key principles of moderation,
rationality, and immunity. A better grasp of these concepts can help us
confront problems or crises and find solutions.
I would like to suggest what I believe to be the four essential elements of
the new normal in the development of Thailand – the elements that will
contribute to true and enduring change.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 2 of 22
Element One
The first element in Thailand’s new normal rests on sustainable and
widespread economic development. I emphasize sustainable and
widespread. In the past, we focused on the overall rate of economic
growth but neglected the quality of that growth as well as the equitable
distribution of income and opportunities. The Asian financial crisis of
1997, and the more recent global financial crisis, both illustrate the
dangers of unbridled economic growth. We have also been reminded
that growth fuelled by populist measures which disregard fiscal discipline
are unsustainable and leave problems in their wake. In Thailand, the
first-car purchasing and rice-pledging schemes were both examples of
short-term stimulus measures. Policies of this kind are pushed by
governments the world over to secure quick popular support with
inadequate regard for their negative economic repercussions.
Sustainable economic development must focus on strengthening the
foundations of the economy. This entails raising underlying economic
competiveness, be it through improving public sector efficiency, state
enterprise reforms, developing skilled and flexible labour, or upgrading
education and research. Raising competitiveness requires appropriate
incentives through effective market mechanisms.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 3 of 22
The state’s role should largely be as an enabler, establishing an
environment that is conducive for market competition to enhance
economic efficiency. Things the state should do include providing
regulations to limit monopolies and establishing frameworks for
consumer protection. Things the state should not do include competing
directly with the private sector or issuing laws and regulations that
undermine efficient market mechanisms.
These principles were in fact enshrined in Thailand’s 1997 constitution
and reflected in the Trade Competition Act of 1999, but enforcement of
the laws was never sufficiently exacting. As a result, competition in many
sectors, particularly in basic services such as transportation,
communications and energy, remains inadequate. Improving the
efficiency of state-owned enterprises is an important element in this
regard, and I shall return to it later.
For development to be sustainable, the fruits of economic growth must
be spread widely and fairly to foster social cohesion and continued
economic and political legitimacy. Many of the economic and social
problems we currently face, including the simmering political tensions
and sporadic clashes we have suffered in the past decade, can be
traced back to the injustice and inequality inherent in our society. Studies
also suggest that economic disparity in itself retards economic growth,
which is why the topic is of such interest in so many countries. Even the
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 4 of 22
United States, the world’s leading economic power, is home to some of
the greatest economic inequality in the developed world. Unless
seriously addressed, inequality and injustice in all their forms will
eventually hold back a country’s development and breed political
upheaval, even violence.
Element Two
The second element in Thailand’s new normal is promoting an open and
inclusive society. Apart from the equitable distribution of income
discussed earlier, we must ensure equal rights, liberties, and
opportunities for all segments of society. Every group, every religion,
every region, every rung of society must enjoy these to be able to
participate collectively in directing national development. This will instil a
critical sense of ownership in the nation’s destiny that encourages each
and every member of society to keep the state under constant scrutiny.
Liberty and equal rights are not simply about the right to vote. The
demands and views of everyone must be heard and respected – not just
those of the victors in elections. Majoritarian rule does not give a
mandate to the winning party to do as it pleases in a winner-takes-all
fashion. As the American libertarian James Bovard once observed,
"Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep
voting on what to have for dinner." If democracy is to survive in the long
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 5 of 22
term and create happiness, there has to be tolerance and an acceptance
of diversity in society. Minority groups must receive equal benefit from
the electoral process.
An open and inclusive society goes hand in hand with freedom of
expression and respect for diversity of views and beliefs. In much of
Asia, including Thailand, where harmony is a core value and conflict
avoidance a first response, our challenge is to embrace criticism, the
weighing of pros and cons and disagreements, and accept them all as
part of the maturation of the democratic process. In a democracy things
are not always strictly black and white, right or wrong. Often there is no
absolute right or wrong, just different perspectives and judgments. In
striving towards a genuinely open and inclusive society, we must learn to
move forward together on the basis of diversity without causing division
or conflict.
In an open and participatory society, the media have a very important
role to play in reporting opinion neutrally, creating balance and
preventing distortion. Modern technology has opened the way to the
rapid dissemination of information, and opened up unprecedented space
for public discourse. The Internet has revolutionized participation in
debate and the political process, and fostered many online communities.
There are a multitude of voices. Some may be contradictory, some more
informed than others, and some personal opinion, gossip, or speculation.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 6 of 22
It is a vast marketplace of ideas and, as in all markets, not everything is
of equal value. So long as our institutions enable people to understand
how to assess ideas in this marketplace – selecting the rigorous and
reasonable, rejecting the shoddy and reckless – democracy is not simply
sustained but thrives.
As Thailand approaches elections in the near future, it will be imperative
for the winners to consider themselves representatives of the entire
country, and not just of the people who voted them in. They have a duty
to address the concerns of all interest groups and promote consensus in
society. Striking that balance is an art. I hope all political parties have
learned important lessons from our painful past, and will do their utmost
to pursue this vital principle of governance.
Element Three
The third element of the new normal in Thailand is the rule of law. This
goes beyond simply the application of the law. It requires adherence to
both the spirit of the law as well as its underlying moral principles. Rule
of law entails not only the clear enunciation of principled rules and
regulations, but that they be applied across the board to all citizens
without exception. Every individual and organization, private and public,
and even the government itself, must be subject to the law. The
legislative and enforcement processes must be transparent and just. The
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 7 of 22
judicial system must be neutral, independent, efficient, and have full
integrity. Most importantly, the law must not be used as a means for
attaining political goals. State actions must not be arbitrary and based on
whims. Dissidents must not be prosecuted or deprived of their legal
rights. The human rights of every citizen must be strictly upheld bar
none.
Lawful governance does not imply using the law to govern people or
enforce the state’s will. We must have rule of law rather than rule by law.
This is a crucial albeit subtle distinction. Here in Thailand, a semblance
of calm and stability belies tensions beneath the surface. Society cannot
flourish in the long run if order and stability are rooted in measures that
inhibit public discourse. When order and stability are imposed rather
than allowed to emerge naturally in accordance with the rules and norms
of society, there can be no transparency.
The World Justice Project has attempted to make global comparisons of
the rule of law. The figures for 2015 see the four top places occupied by
the Nordic countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. With a
score of 0.52 out of one, Thailand ranks 56th among 102 countries and
11th out of 15 in the region. Thailand trails the Philippines, Greece and
Ghana, and this should remind us that we still have far to travel on our
journey to attaining the rule of law.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 8 of 22
When the rule of law is weak, corruption flourishes. Democracy becomes
dysfunctional if politicians, civil servants, the private sector, the judiciary,
the police, and the military use their power to enrich themselves and
advance their own interests at the expense of civil society.
We read about the impunity of the rich and powerful in our newspapers
every day. An independent and neutral judiciary is fundamental to the
rule of law. If judges use one law for the powerful and another for the
powerless, the entire political and judicial system is degraded, and the
people’s trust in the government to see justice dispensed is eroded.
The rule of law demands public responsibility and the transparency of
state institutions and their personnel. Accountability and transparency
have the same objective: to protect citizens from misguided policies or
decisions that unfairly favour a minority at the expense of the majority. A
government that is not held accountable, not answerable to anyone, and
its actions not subject to public scrutiny, is more likely to abuse its power
and disregard the public interest. Preventing such outcomes requires
that the decision-making process be transparent and subject to scrutiny.
There must be full and timely disclosure of information about policy and
public projects. Such checks and balances are at the core of the state’s
responsibility to society.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 9 of 22
Element Four
Governance through the rule of law together with public accountability
and transparency form the basis of responsible government. This is
related to the fourth and final element of the new normal that I would like
to talk about: the need to recalibrate the balance of power between the
state and the people.
Responsive government lies at the core of true democracy, and can
occur only when there is comprehensive decentralization and local
political empowerment. The closer the government is to the people
governed, the more responsive the government is going to be. A
centralized system of governance cannot keep pace with the increasing
complexity of today’s society. Decentralization enables the participation
of more diverse interest groups and represents one way to curb the
concentration of power and influence exercised by political forces.
By decentralization, I do not mean the distribution of power to local
government bodies that report to the central authority. I mean dispersion
of power directly into the hands of people or their representatives. In the
past, we have established local institutions but always retained
centralized control over them. Going forward, we must reform these local
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 10 of 22
bodies so that they become answerable to the needs and demands of
the local populace rather than to the central government.
The heart of democracy beats only with the participation of all citizens in
exercising their rights on issues that affect them directly. In each locality,
province, and region, the demands and solutions to various challenges
may be similar or dissimilar. The formulation of policies and plans of
action should give precedence to the input of local communities. The
state’s role is to provide support with knowledge, data, funding, and
other forms of assistance as needed.
Obviously, on issues such as national security, international relations, or
macroeconomic management, the responsibility and authority must rest
with the central government. But on matters that affect them directly,
people must have a say. Take the education system as an example.
Why should the ministry of education stipulate the curriculum for every
village, district, and province? The role of the ministry should evolve from
one of setting and imposing requirements to one of providing support
and assistance to teachers in terms of information and training.
In the areas of natural resource management, transportation or public
safety, the decentralization of power to the local level will not only help to
increase flexibility in meeting the needs of ordinary people, it will also
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 11 of 22
lower the burden on central government. As things stand, every time a
problem or conflict arises, the aggrieved descend upon Government
House or various ministries in Bangkok. Why can’t we let local
institutions handle these matters directly when it has been amply
demonstrated that the central government is incapable of resolving
problems in an effective and timely manner?
Importantly, once the political process is decentralized, citizens become
more aware, interested, and willing to participate in shaping collective
outcomes. This entrenches democracy in society, and nurtures its
longevity.
The success of decentralization hinges on a balanced and diverse flow
of information, and this brings me to the critical role of civil society. An
active civil society generates a wealth of information for constructive
debate on matters of public interest. Civil society also provides a
mechanism whereby the collective views of citizens can shape and
influence government policy. By bringing arguments and information into
the public domain, policies can be examined and challenged, and
‘activist citizenship’ is fostered by people informing themselves better on
matters that affect them. A genuinely democratic government will feel
obliged to present counterarguments or to modify its position. Such
interactions are healthy for democracy, and improve the decision-making
process.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 12 of 22
A vibrant civil society relies on the wisdom of the populace and its ability
to make rational and informed decisions. Democracy becomes a force
for meaningful progress when voters not only understand the issues at
hand, but are also conscious of their context, the various alternatives
available, as well as their responsibilities as democratic citizens. We
must therefore urgently reform our education system from one that
simply produces graduates to one that nurtures the ability of people to
think critically and make constructive changes in society.
There has been much discussion on this topic over the years but little
tangible progress. We must take a step back and carefully reassess our
fundamental approach. As things stand, a child starting out in first grade
this year will retire in about 2069. No one here, or anywhere else for that
matter, can predict with confidence what the world will be like five years
from now, let alone in that distant future. Yet we are tasked with
educating our children for that world – to ensure they are equipped to
solve the problems of their time.
In my view, the best way to do this is to shift the emphasis of education
away from memorizing facts and rote learning to focus instead on
nurturing creativity and adaptability. This all starts with getting teachers
to teach less, encouraging students to read more diversely, and ensuring
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 13 of 22
teachers engage in dialogues with students. The main focus should not
be on getting the right answer but on instilling confidence to think
problems through, to voice opinions and to articulate reasoned
arguments.
In an age where a staggering amount of information is available at the
touch of a button or the swipe of a smartphone, learning will be more
important than knowing. If our children are to be able to solve the
complex problems of the future – and climate change is but one – they
will need a high degree of creativity. This is something I feel has been
sadly neglected so far.
The enemy of creativity is the fear of being wrong or making mistakes. I
believe every child is born with an immense amount of creativity and the
capacity to innovate. But an education system that stigmatizes mistakes,
focuses on correct answers, and penalizes wrong ones, serves to retard
creativity. By the time children grow into adults, they have been deprived
of their creative impulse by the fear of being wrong.
Innovation does not come from a fear of being wrong. On the contrary,
the courage to risk making mistakes, the relentless process of trial and
error, and the ability to bounce back from repeated failures are the seeds
of innovation and advancement. Let us not forget that the iPhone many
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 14 of 22
of you carry around was regarded with some scepticism when it was first
released in 2007. Its success is a testament to the willingness of Steve
Jobs to be wrong rather than his fear of not being right.
Human development does not follow a linear trajectory, and success
does not come from a set formula. The learning process is unique for
each child – it is not one size fits all. The education system in Finland
stands out as a success, but it does not rely on a centralized curriculum
or standardized tests. Instead, curriculums are set by schools on their
own and experimental teaching approaches are encouraged. Education
is individualized, and tests are used to identify and build on each
student’s comparative strengths rather than to rank them. The emphasis
on education for practical, everyday life is conveyed by the fact that over
a third of Finnish students attend vocational school.
An education system that promotes good learning skills in children will
contribute to a citizenry capable of grasping issues of concern and
placing them in the right context. This contributes to well-informed,
rational decisions, and helps ensure that the responsibilities of society
under democratic rule are met.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 15 of 22
A New Normal for Thailand
What I have laid out so far is a vision for a new normal for Thailand built
upon the foundation of democratic governance. It broadly represents a
framework for governance that Thailand has lacked up to now.
We have a tendency to focus on democracy in form rather than in
substance. We follow procedures and go through the motions of
elections. Yet we have paid little attention to developing the institutions
that are critical to sustaining democracy. The challenges that we are
presently facing have their roots in the fact that we have never had a
true democratic transition – a genuine change in our political system.
Change has always been superficial, old wine in a new bottle – or you
could even say old wine in an old bottle but with a new cork. Critically,
we have not dug deeply enough to uncover the true underlying cause of
current divisions in Thai society.
Much of this is unrelated to the actual policies of governments, present
or past, nor is it about a fight between pro-government and anti-
government forces. Rather it is about poverty, social injustice, unequal
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 16 of 22
rights and opportunities, and about the way power is divided between
the state and the people – or even among groups of people.
Thais have traditionally been good at creating problems. Some say that
they are also good at solving them, but is this not really a bit of a myth?
Our development path has been one of muddling along, an ‘ad-hocracy’
you might say. Little has been done in the way of strategic long-term
planning or effective implementation.
While substantial progress has been achieved in terms of economic
development, we have not taken sufficient note of its negative political
and social impact. At this juncture, it has become patently clear that
many of our institutions are inadequate when faced with the challenges
of globalization. Against a backdrop of rapid global change, our
economic, political, and social institutions have simply not kept up.
Democratic governance can serve as a basis for a more balanced path
to development. By paying heed to the diverse views and opinions of a
wide variety of interest groups, the government can pursue a more
rounded and sustainable development model.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 17 of 22
We Thais often yearn for a knight in shining armour to ride to the rescue
when there are problems. But the time for that kind of ‘I-know-best’ style
of management has passed. For all the information and broad powers
that the state possesses, it does not know best on all issues, particularly
when it comes to increasingly complex modern economic systems.
Why is good governance the key to good economic management? Let
me take the example of state-owned enterprises where performances in
recent years have been worrying, where competitiveness has declined
markedly – and so have operating profits. Those that enjoy monopoly
rights remain profitable, while those that face competition mostly operate
at a loss. The root of the problems lies squarely in governance.
Regulatory frameworks are complicated, with large overlaps and a lack
of overriding authority. Management of state enterprises is vulnerable to
political interference and corruption, as well as competing social and
business objectives. Importantly, there is no clear separation among the
relevant government agencies in terms of their responsibilities as
policymakers, regulators and owners. The uneven playing field state
enterprises and private companies play upon has meanwhile dulled the
impetus to improve efficiency.
Such problems need to be tackled urgently. State enterprises account
for a large part of the economy and exert significant influence on overall
economic efficiency. Their role as providers of basic infrastructure in
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 18 of 22
many forms – electricity, water, telecommunications, transportation,
airports, ports – make them integral to private sector operations.
Inefficient state enterprises not only undermine their own profitability but
also impede the performance of all related private activity. Expensive
and low-quality basic infrastructure translates directly into reduced
competitiveness in private companies. The current reform agenda,
including the proposed establishment of the National State Enterprise
Corporation, warrants attention as it promises significant improvements
in resource allocation. This is conditional, of course, on the integrity and
competence of the management of such an institution.
More broadly, government efficiency has become one of the most
important determinants of a country’s competitiveness. And government
efficiency typically is associated with the strength of democracy. Efficient
government, however, does not necessarily mean small government.
The key lies in the degree of competence with which government affairs
are managed, and responsiveness to the needs of the people. A
development model that emphasises the role of the state in promoting
the freedoms and opportunities of individuals represents the essence of
true democracy. Such a model is described in Development as Freedom
by Professor Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate for economic sciences.
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 19 of 22
The Road to Reform
To make headway towards the new normal that I have described, we
must embark on comprehensive structural reforms today. Reforms
inevitably create winners and losers. The winners are often diffused and
dispersed. Conversely, the losers can be easily identified; they are
powerful and well organized. Ensuring that the prospective losers do not
impede changes that benefit the public good requires a mechanism to
ensure balanced distribution of the gains from reforms among various
segments of society. This entails inclusive economic and political
institutions, as well as a healthy dose of opportunism. Successful
reforms often result from leveraging on opportunities that arise, such as
at times of crisis. I have always held the view that we did not make the
most of the 1997 financial crisis.
Thus at this point we should not waste time debating where we are, or if
we got here in the right or wrong way. These are important and
legitimate questions that deserve study and reflection, but they should
not prevent us moving forward or seeking solutions to the problems at
hand.
A reform strategy must always be assessed within the context of the
bigger picture. In the past, the main thrust has been through
constitutional reform, which is not ideal and may even be
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 20 of 22
counterproductive. We have been rather profligate with our constitutions.
We are on our 19th – or is it 20th? – in the space of 83 years, which
happens to coincide exactly with my age.
As one of the people involved in drafting Thailand’s 1997 constitution,
which for the first time involved broad-based public participation, I had
hoped it would make Thai democracy more open, transparent and
accountable, and that electoral reforms would limit money politics and
corruption. That said, I always recognized that a constitution is not a
silver bullet for all that ails society. For a constitution to make a real
difference, society must first embrace the underlying values it espouses.
As subsequently became apparent, the constitution alone cannot bring
about meaningful change absent reforms to other key democratic pillars,
particularly political institutions and the mindsets of people.
Structural reform is a continuous process rather than a one-shot
exercise. It might begin with drafting a new constitution, but the process
must evolve. We must not fall into the trap of using shortcuts or quick-
wins to achieve our goals. We must not imagine that certain initiatives
today will bring about lasting change and forever resolve prevailing
problems. There are no once-and-for-all solutions. With constant
change, everything eventually needs to adapt and evolve. Developed
countries do not stand still. They are continuously changing and
adapting. A society with no reform is static and prone to stagnation. And
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 21 of 22
in the process of reform, it is pointless to ask whether success can be
guaranteed of each proposal tabled. Nothing can be guaranteed except
that all the effort expended is based on goodwill and the best of
intentions. We must then stand ready to adapt and adjust down the road
as necessary.
There is no unique blueprint for reforms to bring about true democracy. It
is quite unlike building a house where there are step-by-step instructions
based on clear plans that can be amended as desired or applied to build
hundreds of identical houses. Much like a tree that depends on a host of
supporting factors to flourish – good soil, water, air – true democracy
emerges organically with no predetermined outcome or shape. Its
development is path-dependent, and the most that can be done to
cultivate it is to provide a supportive environment for it to grow. No two
trees are identical, but each one can do just as well providing shade
from the sun.
The seeds of democracy must be sown from within each society for the
shoots to be accepted and nurtured. As Mahatma Gandhi once
observed, “The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It
has to come from within.” People must want democracy for it to take
hold. Each society must find its own way out of conflict and prioritize its
needs in accordance with its unique experience. The elements of
Democratic Governance: Striving for Thailand’s New Normal
Anand Panyarachun
Full text incorporating keynote addresses to the Bank of Thailand Annual Seminar, 17 September 2015, and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, 23 March 2016.
25 March 2016 Page 22 of 22
democratic governance that I have outlined can serve as overarching
supports to encourage democracy to evolve in the right direction.
As a nation, we have come far – and there is no turning back to the way
things were. Change is unavoidable and permanent. Each and every
one of us has a stake in the future of our country. We must contribute to
ensuring that the change is constructive. All the forces of goodwill and
empathy that bind our society must come out into the open. We must
forge a collective vision that is progressive and contributes to change
that is constructive.
Democratic governance ultimately is a state of mind rather than some
tangible rule or procedure. Over and above the implementation of critical
reforms, moving forward towards a prosperous new normal requires that
we fundamentally change our way of thinking, attitudes, and mindsets to
embrace openness, a diversity of views, as well as values that support
societal change. Democratic governance opens up channels through
which the diversity in our society can come together to foster political,
economic and social development. It thus represents the most direct
route to true sustainability.
[ends]