Public Supports Pilot Governor Elections, Proposes ISOC Abolition Due to Budget Waste

MGR Online•Society•12d ago

Reader Briefing

Public sector representative Metha Mas-kao supports the concept of electing metropolitan governors in pilot cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket, while also advocating for the abolition of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) due to its budgetary inefficiencies and duplication of power.

•Public sector advocate Metha Mas-kao expressed support for the idea of electing governors in major metropolitan areas.
•He suggested expanding the pilot program to include Khon Kaen as a representative for the Northeast region.
•Metha Mas-kao strongly argued for the dissolution of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), citing it as a wasteful bureaucratic entity.
•Concerns were raised about ISOC's excessive budget expenditure and its potential for creating a 'state within a state'.

Overview

•Metha Mas-kao, Secretary-General of the Campaign Committee for Democracy and coordinator of the Media Network for Change, stated his agreement with the Prime Minister's proposal to study the election of governors in major metropolises.
•Metha Mas-kao proposed that Khon Kaen Metropolis be included as a representative for the Northeast region in the metropolitan governor election pilot program.
•The direct election of city executives is advocated by Metha Mas-kao to promote economic decentralization beyond just the capital and provincial cities.
•Metha Mas-kao noted that past efforts at decentralization have been hampered by the Ministry of Interior's reluctance to relinquish power and obstacles from the regional administration.
•Metha Mas-kao also called for a government study on bureaucratic reform, including the consolidation of over one hundred thousand laws to eliminate redundancies and introduce new legislation suitable for modern society.
•Metha Mas-kao advocates for the abolition of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), citing significant budgetary waste.
•Metha Mas-kao asserted that ISOC is an excess bureaucratic system and a drain on the national budget.
•Metha Mas-kao highlighted that ISOC personnel are often drawn from the army and police, leading to duplicate payments and the consolidation of military authority over civilian administration, creating a 'state within a state'.

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Key Quotes

Metha Mas-kao

"I agree with the Prime Minister to study the election of provincial governors in major metropolises, especially Chiang Mai and Phuket, but only the North and South regions are included, missing the Northeast. I propose including Khon Kaen Metropolis as a representative for the Northeast."

ผมเห็นด้วยกับนายกรัฐมนตรีที่จะให้มีการศึกษาเพื่อให้เลือกตัังผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัดในมหานครใหญ่ โดยเฉพาะเชียงใหม่และภูเก็ต แต่มีแต่ภาคเหนือและภาคใต้ ขาดภาคอีสานไป ผมเสนอให้รวมขอนแก่นมหานครเป็นตัวแทนภาคอีสานด้วย

Metha Mas-kao

"Many people in the public and I agree to abolish ISOC because it is an excess bureaucratic system and wastes budget."

ผมและภาคประชาชนหลายส่วนเห็นด้วยที่จะให้มีการยุบเลิก กอ.รมน. เพราะเป็นระบบราชการส่วนเกินและเปลืองงบประมาณ

Metha Mas-kao

"ISOC is a source of duplicate budgets for the government to obtain funds improperly, as this organization has almost no its own staff. Most personnel are sent from the army and police to work in ISOC upon the director's request to receive duplicate payments."

กอ.รมน.เป็นแหล่งงบประมาณซ้ำซ้อนให้ราชการได้งบซ้อนโดยมิชอบ เพราะองค์กรนี้แทบจะไม่มีเจ้าหน้าที่ของตนเอง ส่วนใหญ่จัดส่งเจ้าหน้าที่จากกองทัพและตำรวจมาปฏิบัติหน้าที่ใน กอ.รมน.ตามที่ผู้อำนวยการร้องขอเพื่อรับเงินซ้ำซ้อน

Key Entities

Person

Metha Mas-kao(นายเมธา มาสขาว)

Secretary-General of the Campaign Committee for Democracy and coordinator of the Media Network for Change, who advocates for the election of metropolitan governors and the abolition of ISOC.

Governor of Bangkok(ผู้ว่า กทม.)

The current governor of Bangkok, whose limited power is cited as an example of the challenges in decentralizing authority within the national bureaucratic structure.

Army Chief of Staff(เสนาธิการทหารบก)

The position of Army Chief of Staff serves as the Secretary-General of ISOC and holds authority over ISOC personnel, indicating a military influence over civilian administration.

ISOC Regional Director(ผอ.กอ.รมน.ภาค)

Regional directors of ISOC are typically regional army commanders, overseeing provincial ISOC directors and exercising authority over governors.

Regional Army Commander(แม่ทัพภาค)

Regional army commanders serve as ISOC Regional Directors and oversee provincial ISOC operations and provincial governors.

Deputy Provincial ISOC Director(รอง ผอ.กมน.จังหวัด)

Deputy ISOC directors at the provincial level are typically deputy regional army commanders, responsible for security affairs within the province.

President of the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO)(นายก อบจ.)

The role of PAO president is suggested as a potential alternative to the provincial governor in managing city affairs, given the perceived overlap in responsibilities.

Organization

Campaign Committee for Democracy (CCDP)(คณะกรรมการรณรงค์เพื่อประชาธิปไตย (ครป.))

An organization advocating for democratic principles, whose Secretary-General, Metha Mas-kao, commented on political reform proposals.

Media Network for Change(เครือข่ายสื่อเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลง)

A network coordinating media efforts for societal transformation, whose coordinator, Metha Mas-kao, voiced opinions on government proposals.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

A government ministry that has historically been perceived as a barrier to decentralization and power distribution in Thailand.

ISOC (Internal Security Operations Command)(กอ.รมน.)ℹ️

An organization criticized for being a wasteful bureaucratic entity, duplicating budgets, and wielding excessive power, particularly after amendments in 2008 and 2017.

Place

Chiang Mai(เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

A major city in Thailand proposed as a pilot location for the election of metropolitan governors.

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

A major island province in Thailand proposed as a pilot location for the election of metropolitan governors.

Khon Kaen Metropolis(ขอนแก่นมหานคร)

A proposed metropolitan area in the Northeast region of Thailand that Metha Mas-kao suggested be included as a representative in the pilot program for elected governors.

Law

Internal Security Law(กฎหมายความมั่นคง)

A law enacted in 2008 (2008) that empowered ISOC, which is now being called for abolition due to its perceived inefficiency and overreach.

Order of the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)(คำสั่งหัวหน้า คสช.)

An order issued in 2017 (2017) that further expanded the powers of ISOC, contributing to the criticism of a 'state within a state'.

Emergency Decree(พรก.สถานการณ์ฉุกเฉินฯ)

An existing emergency decree that ISOC's expanded powers are seen as overlapping with, suggesting redundancy and overreach.