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Looking to expand their responsibilities. Though there are economic concerns in this
community, their priorities for the next government are to release the emergency rules, increase
their self-governance, have fair elections, reduce corruption, and have a free flow of information.

3.6 Priorities for the Next Government

Context

After the robust discussion, participants shared in writing up to three areas in which they
would like the next government to pay special attention.

Economy. In alignment with the earlier discussions in the groups, requests directed towards
relief from economic anxieties dominated. More specifically, suggestions fell equally into three
categories:

Government controls. Participants expressed hope the government would intervene in ways

that would help them and their families survive the increase in the cost of living, though not in the
form of direct support, such as by controlling prices for necessities, raising agricultural prices,
increasing the minimum wage, and reducing their tax obligations.

Welfare for the vulnerable. Many requested more direct forms of relief for the elderly, sick,

and impoverished families.

Economic Development. Other participants wanted to see more development, including

injections of international capital and trade, to spur on more and better paying jobs.

Strengthen Democracy. The second largest basket of priorities were in building out

principles of equality and citizen-driven government. The main themes included equality and human
rights for all Thai citizens, reduce corruption, decentralization (more local control), and increase
the connection between citizens and their elected leaders for better communication and action.

In a second tier of concerns, many participants were interested in education. One stream

of comments focused on proving more access to education to remote or rural areas or areas with
poorer citizens. Another stream of comments had a general interest in improving education. Another
category was to reform in some way, the Constitution and other traditional powers in the country,

such as the bureaucracy, police and military. Another category focused on reducing illegal drugs.

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