Before the assembly held its routine meeting, Alongkorn reported the results of the whip committee that represented the Cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the NRSA, chaired by PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana.

The meeting discussed four topics. Alongkorn said the government wants the NRSA and the six reform panels to work together as a team.

It also wanted the five core agencies including the Cabinet, the National Council for Peace and Order, the NLA, the NRSA and the Constitution Drafting Commissions to take public opinion into account when carrying out any task.

The meeting wanted joint discussion about establishing panels in the future with strategies involving government work, Alongkorn said.

Finally, the government would not send representatives to link up meetings of committees and NLA or NRSA whips. The government would rely on the whip committee to coordinate the work of the NLA, NRSA and the government. “This is to prevent the government from being accused of dominating reform work,” Alongkorn said.

He said to avoid costs from revamping laws and setting up new agencies to cater for reform, the whip committee resolved to call a meeting on January 27 of concerned agencies – such as the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission and the Budget Bureau – to hear their recommendations.

He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted the five core agencies to help the public understand that the word ‘democracy’ means not only rights and liberty – but also responsibilities among citizens.