The Court of Justice has launched a website to receive input from people about justice reform in several key areas, said Amnuay Nimmano, a spokesman for the justice reform committee.
The website (http://reform.coj.go.th) will collect feedback from the public until Dec 24. In the meantime, panels will be organised to debate justice reform in the middle of next month, Pol Lt Gen Amnuay said.
The responses will be analysed and turned into a justice reform blueprint to be presented to the national strategy committee later.
Opinions are needed from the public on a number of sub-topics. They will be asked to comment on the timeframe to be set for every step of the justice system to ensure people are treated fairly and justice is served in a timely manner.
Comment is also sought on how state mechanisms could be developed to help the underprivileged and poor gain easy and affordable access to the justice system.
Pol Lt Gen Amnuay added the public could also advise on how law enforcement should do away with discriminatory practices and guarantee social justice; as well as ways to improve checks and balances between police investigators compiling criminal cases and the prosecutors who decide on an indictment.
Also to be considered is the deadline for conducting a criminal investigation to prevent the statute of limitations expiring, which results in cases lapsing.
Pol Lt Gen Amnuay said a swift and timely investigation procedure would boost public confidence in law enforcement authorities.
In addition, he said more forensic science needs to be introduced in criminal investigations and a scientific unit should be set up in each law enforcement office. Those units should also be independent of one another.
Pol Lt Gen Amnuay said the reform also seeks to promote a new working culture among branches functioning under the justice system to be more helpful and efficient.
Court of Justice spokesman Suriyan Hongwilai said public input is vital to guarantee people's rights are respected, and that the system needs to be developed and improved correctly.
