The bill spelling out the country’s national strategy for the next 20 years and which critics fear will become a legally-binding legacy of the military junta, was passed in the reading by the National Legislative Assembly today after four hours of debates.
A 38-member committee was set up by the NLA to summarize the points of debates for resubmission to the NLA for approval within July 7.
Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krue-ngarm said that the 71-page draft covered jbroad strategies relating to national security, national competitiveness, human resources development, social equality, the environment and public sector management. The draft bill still lack details which he promised will be available next month.
He said the national strategy committee headed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will proceed with the drafting of a national strategy master plan which will contain details in all aspects to be tabled before the NLA in two months’ time.
Besides the details of the national strategy, Dr Wisanu said summaries of the debates by members of the NLA would also be incorporated in the appendix of the draft national strategy.
After the final approval by the NLA, the detailed draft will be returned to the cabinet for presentation to the national strategy committee, said Dr Wisanu, stressing that the national strategy is legally binding with the government’s five plans.