In her statement made at the Fifth Bali Democracy Forum in Bali, Indonesia, on 8 November 2012, Prime Minister Yingluck explained her administration’s major policies and shared Thailand’s perspectives on democracy.
She said
that the people-centered policies include raising the daily minimum wage,
expanding the coverage of the Universal Health Care Program, establishing the
Women’s Development Fund, and supporting SMEs.
She
pointed out that the Government’s education policies, including the “One Tablet
Per Child” scheme, ensure that Thai children can obtain the skills and
knowledge that will make them well-informed adults, which are the backbone of
any democracy.
The
Prime Minister stressed the need to protect the rights of the people. The best
way to preserve democracy is to empower the people to value and participate in
the process of democracy, by which it is possible for elections to take place.
When people participate, they feel that they own democracy and cherish the
values. And when democracy is overthrown or abused, people will rise up to
defend it. This is what happened in Thailand in 2010.
But this
came with a cost, she said, as families lost their loved ones, and there was
suffering among the injured. She is determined to make sure that this will not
happen again. That is why her government is pursuing national reconciliation
and firmly following the framework of human rights.
She
further explained that although her party holds the majority in parliament, she
intends to listen to all stakeholders, saying that she understands fully that
for a democracy to be resilient, freedom of speech, and respect for diversity
of opinions must exist. Mutual respect and understanding among people in society
help prevent disagreements and conflict. Non-discrimination helps all people
feel that they are part of the whole society, regardless of race, religion, or
income. This leads to her observation that government should be committed to
promoting equal opportunity.
Prime
Minister Yingluck also said that creating opportunities for people on an equal
basis ensures that everyone can take part in the country’s economic progress
and development. This is critical for democracy, as both economic prosperity
and social empowerment put people in a better position to be more responsible
when exercising their rights. This also creates an environment that facilitates
greater investment and other economic activities.
Therefore,
she said, the Government needs to make sure that the benefits of growth and
stability are enjoyed by all. This means that all people should have access to
basic needs that promote human security, education, health care, and other
welfare support.
(thailand.prd.go.th)
