15. Public Administration Policy
It is the policy of the Government to promote the country's political development towards participatory democracy in order to give the people the opportunity for greater self-government and protection of their own rights. In addition, the Government is committed to improving efficiency, creating greater transparency and eliminating corruption in public administration and services, with a view to enhancing social justice and national development at present and in the future. Towards this end, the Government will undertake the following measures: 15.1 Political Reform
(1) Expedite the enactment and amendment of laws in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution so that the people's constitutional rights and freedoms are truly protected. This may be achieved by clearly determining the procedures, time frame and responsible agencies, as well as by organizing public hearings on the issue of political reform and political development.
(2) Promote the implementation of human rights principles in public administration and the learning of human rights and civic duties in educational institutions.
(3) Enable the constitution-based non-government agencies to function efficiently, transparently and with accountability.
(4) Promote and support the establishment of various forms of organizations and among private individuals, and encourage such organizations to participate in political activities as well as to present their opinions and assessments concerning important government projects which have impact upon the environment and economy. Such organizations may also participate in inspecting the work of the public sector as well as participating in the formulation of important public policies.
(5) Encourage the Thai people and private organizations to cooperate closely with people and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) abroad, with a view to forging a constructive relationship between the countries and the peoples.
15.2 Public Administration
(1) Reform the public sector in order to improve efficiency and streamline the governmental structure in line with the current situation and to enable the public sector to better serve national economic and social development. At the same time, accelerate the enactment of legislation to facilitate bureaucratic restructuring in order to keep up with the global trends as well as changes in the social and economic situation.
(2) Revise the public sector's role from operator and controller to supporter and facilitator. Support the activities and roles of the private sector and the people by enabling them to actively participate in the process of public reform in order to lay down clear and continuous guidelines for operations.
(3) Improve the public administration process by utilizing information technology with a view to providing the people with comprehensive, fast and non-discriminatory information services. At the same time, the Information Act will be amended to truly serve the people's needs.
(4) Accelerate measures to improve the quality of government officials, inculcating in them a favourable attitude towards public service. Revise various laws, regulations, operation procedures, and guidelines in order to achieve flexibility, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in public administration. The Government's administration should also be open to a systematic and fair evaluation.
(5) Accelerate the reform of the budgeting process, making it an efficient tool for the allocation of resources in a way that is consistent with national development policies and strategies. Promote the public agencies to play a greater decision-making role as well as institute an efficient and transparent inspection system.
15.3 Decentralization Policy
(1) Place an emphasis on local revenue collection and decentralization of fiscal power to local authorities in order to achieve budget management that is more independent, taking into consideration the needs and appropriateness for development of the localities.
(2) Encourage clear, appropriate and step-by-step decentralization of power from the central government to the local authorities. At the same time, the potential of local civil service administrations and local governmental organizations must be strengthened and further developed in line with the activities of each locality. There must be greater independence with regard to local budget management and allocation, income acquisition and management of local properties.
(3) Encourage the local people, civil society and private organizations to participate in local administration, thereby providing for inspection, monitoring, and evaluation of the local administration. Such participation ranges from the decision-making process, policy formulation, and procurement to the appointment and removal of the local authorities for the sake of transparency and efficiency as well as in response to the needs of the local people. Promote better understanding with regard to the roles and responsibilities of all the organizations concerned so that the local decentralization process can proceed in an effective manner.
15.4 Prevention and Suppression of Corruption
(1) Undertake all measures of punishment necessary - whether disciplinary, administrative, civil, criminal or tax-related - in a manner that is resolute, swift and fair to both corrupters and those involved in protecting them. Push for the amendment and revision of legislation, while developing the monitoring system to ensure that those found guilty of corruption are severely punished. Compensation should also be paid to the public sector and the people who have been affected by such corruption.
(2) Conduct a serious campaign against corruption and instill public awareness and social norms concerning this matter so that the people may join together in fighting corruption and malfeasance by government officials. At the same time, the morale of all honest officials should be promoted.
(3) Encourage the people to join together in forming people's organizations and to play a participatory role in the prevention and suppression of corruption and malfeasance. Incentives should be provided to encourage the people's participation in various forms.
(4) Reform the process of budgetary allocation and spending as well as the public procurement system with a view to enhancing transparency and efficiency in approving the budget. Towards this end, the Government will encourage qualified persons and members of the public to play a greater role in monitoring and analyzing the budget proposals and budget spending.
15.5 Development of the Legal Process and Legal Reform
(1) Accelerate the process of restructuring the Ministry of Justice to provide it with a role and responsibilities covering the legal process in a thorough and efficient manner.
(2) Encourage and support the use of settlement measures other than through court settlements in order that such measures can serve as a tool for consumers, the public, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged to ensure that their rights are protected and safeguarded.
(3) Revise the system and procedures in which offenders are treated, making them more diverse and capable of providing for the rehabilitation of such offenders in an efficient manner.
(4) Encourage communities, members of the public, and people's organizations to be more involved in the legal process as well as in setting policy for the administration of justice.
(5) Accelerate the reform of any outdated laws, rules and regulations in line with the country's present economic and social conditions, while making them flexible enough to cope with future variations.
(6) Promote more research and studies in law and other fields related to both public and private sectors. This will, in turn, lead to the amendment and revision of existing laws or the proposal of draft legislation that is significant to and necessary for the country's development