Page 16 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL 12

Statistics from past decades indicates that less than 1% of the Thai population owns over 50% of the country’s entire wealth, underlying the gap of income distribution. The former prime minister suggested wealth inequality is not a phenomenon unique to Thailand but occurs almost everywhere regardless of developed or developing status and capitalist or socialist system. The ratio of the income gap is not the root cause; the real culprit is the inequality of the local social system.With globalization, fair income distribution is more elusive, allowing major benefits to go to the rich while little reaches the bottom of the pyramid. A sustainable and far-reaching economy requires improvement at the foundation by strengthening the competitiveness of enterprises and skilled labour as well as encouraging new research without neglecting the fact that the fruits of economic growth must be shared equitably.Secondly, an essential element for Thailand’s New Normal is to promote an “open and inclusive society”, ensuring that opportunities, liberties and rights can be accessed by all segments of society. “Liberty and equal rights are not simply about the right to vote. The demands and views of everyone must be heard and respected – not just those of the victors in elections. Majoritarian rule does14 Elite+Liberty and equal rights are not simply about the right to vote. The demands and views of everyone must be heard and respected – not just thoseof the victors in electionsnot give a mandate to the winning party to do as it pleases in a winner-takes-all fashion.”Winners of the next election will be expected to take care of the interests of all groups, promoting consensus in Thai society. All voices must be heard to find the direction of Thailand’s future. Improvements in education will play a critical role in providing people with constructive and unbiased information.“Modern technology has opened up unprecedented space for public discourse,” said Mr Anand. “In the vast marketplace of ideas, not everything is of equal value. So long as our institutions enable people to understand how to assess ideas in this marketplace – selecting the rigorous