The "Mirror Assembly".
An interesting sideline in the midst of the preparation for the September elections was a proposal for the establishment of a parallel people's forum. So concerned were some academics that the future government would not represent the people, that a "Mirror Assembly" to monitor the performance of the Lower House was proposed. The brain child of eminent political scientist Dr. Chai-Anan Samudavanij, the Assembly would consist of i all walks of life, and would serve as a forum through which the people's problems could be fed into parliament. The group, to be appointed by the King. was to "reflect the desires, opinions and hardships of the Thai society." The proposal immediately seen as a threat to and implied existing parliamentary system, and was rejected by the politicians. The campaign for Popular Democracy and the Confederation for Democracy were also against the proposal, arguing that it an counter to the spirit of the people who took to the streets in May. Most newspapers too. the Mirror Assembly" the thumbs down."