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People take to the streets to protest against imprisoning farmers
Land ownership reforms called for by NPF
Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut
More than 300 people from both Chiang Mai and Lamphun
provinces, facing a problem with land ownership, protested in front of the
Community Organization Development Institute, northern office in Tambon Nong
Hoi, Chiang Mai, against the government policy of imprisoning 73 farmers.
 More
than 300 people from Chiang Mai and Lamphun protested in front of the
Community Organization Development Institute, northern office in Chiang Mai,
against the government policy of imprisoning 73 farmers.
Suriyan Thongnu-aied, a consultant of the Northern
Peasants Federation (NPF), said that at the moment, 73 farmers involved in
the Land Reform by Communities movement have been charged with encroaching
on private property in Lamphun province, and are unable to secure the 7.4
million baht required for bail.
Suriyan said, “Experience over several years has shown
that we cannot simply wait for the state to resolve the land problems. We
have organized the community land reform in Lamphun to set up principles and
a model for joint land management between state and community to make
available sustainable use land that is suitable for agriculture.”
At present, the state has chosen to apply criminal law
rather than follow the agreement reached during negotiations on April 9,
2002. This had served to protect those who illegally received land titles
and failed to expose the corruption by government officials and wealthy
investors, claimed Suriyan.
The properties at the center of the disputes are plots of
land over which it is claimed that title documents were illegally issued to
wealthy investors during the 1980’s and early 90’s. Several committees
have been set up to investigate various land holdings in Lamphun province,
which have included representatives of government, villagers, and academics.
Recommendations that illegally issued land rights documents be withdrawn
have been ignored.
In the disputed cases, the land had lain abandoned for
several years, in some cases decades, and representations had been made to
the government several times, before the communities decided to take their
own action, said Sukaew Fungfoo, a farmer.
Another 34 farmers who joined the Land Reform by
Communities movement are now facing charges of encroachment, and their cases
were introduced to the court system last year. They were all released on
bail following negotiations with the public prosecutor to reduce the bail
conditions, and the bail was secured by senators, academics, and other
guarantors. Hearings of evidence in these cases have been postponed to allow
the government to clarify its own position.
The government appeared to respond to the pleas of the
farmers last year. Negotiations with farmers in March 2002 led to an
agreement signed by three ministers of the current government. This
agreement included a commitment to reallocate to poor farmers in the area,
the land that had been illegally titled and left abandoned. The negotiated
agreement was validated in a Cabinet Resolution on 9 April 2002.
According to the Agricultural Land Reform Act, it allows
for the state to redistribute land for agriculture to farmers who are
landless or do not have sufficient land for cultivation. The government may
purchase or expropriate land from any individual landowners who hold over 20
rai, and do not use the land for agriculture.
Section 6 of the Land Code also states that any person
having rights to land under a title deed, and who does not use it for 10
years, will be deemed to have abandoned their rights. In the case of unused
land held under a certificate of Utilization or Nor Sor 3, it will be deemed
abandoned after 5 years.
The government is being called on by the Northern
Peasants Federation to revoke the illegally issued titles and redistribute
the disputed lands to poor and landless farmers. It has begun to revoke
illegally issued Sor Por Kor 4-01 titles in Phuket, illegally issued title
deeds in Samut Prakarn province and the NPF wants to see it apply the same
urgency to resolving the problems in Lamphun.
PM pushes the SME concept for APEC economic stability
Phitsanu Thepthong
Photos by Supatatt Dangkrueng
In his address to the 21 member countries at the recent
APEC meeting in Chiang Mai, titled A World of Differences - Partnership for
the Future, Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said, “A
significant part of trade and investment can be attributed to the dynamic
role of small and
 Minister
Somsak hosted the press dinner at Khum Khantoke, where the Thai traditional
angels performed their fascinating dance.
medium-sized enterprises in our countries. It is
therefore most timely that this meeting will consider strategies for
promoting the SME and micro businesses along with a framework for
cooperation within APEC.”
 An
APEC delegate is interested in the elephant painting.
He said SME’s currently provide more than 80% of the
total jobs in the APEC economies, create between 30-60% of our GNP, are
responsible for more than 35% of our regional exports, and constitute more
than 95% of all enterprises. “Therefore we can see that in reality, the
key mechanism for economic development is the SME itself,” said the PM.
 As
the conference was organized in the north of Thailand, northern cultures,
like these hill tribe dresses, showcased at the international conference.
“SME’s have played a major role in the economic
recovery of Thailand because SME’s are agile and able to adjust themselves
to fast-changing conditions. They are able to use innovative thinking to
achieve results without much financing. They are able to reach niche markets
more easily than large companies. Because of these abilities, along with
programs to build their strengths and lower the obstacles they face, SME’s
can easily become the main engine of economic growth and source of great
stability for the nation,” he said.
The fabulous northern dance performance at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
during the APEC SMEs meeting.
“We must develop SME’s in each of the APEC economies
to give the developing members the ability to learn the paths to SME
excellence from the members that have already successfully developed. In
addition, APEC must maintain its role in promoting a multilateral trading
system and supporting the work of the World Trade Organization. The members
of APEC are varied but are still able to reach consensus on important
economic and trade issues. This fact sends an important political signal
that points the way for the future of world trade.”
APEC
delegates pose for the traditional photo at the 10th Meeting of APEC
Ministers responsible for SMEs during August 7-8 at Imperial Mae Ping Hotel.
He finished his opening address by saying, “I sincerely
hope that this meeting will be an occasion for all of you to exchange ideas
and join together in partnership for development and for the strengthening
of our SME’s. This should help SME’s become leaders in the economic
development of APEC and accelerate development that is truly sustainable.”
Longans bound for Bangladesh
Ministry of Commerce expecting long-term market
Metinee Chaikuna
The Ministry of Commerce, in cooperation with the Royal
Thai Air Force and Thai Airway International, has made a second delivery of
longans to Bangladesh. Minister of Commerce Adisai Potharamik presided over
the ceremony at Wing 41.
 Adisai
Potharamik gives some Bangladesh bound longans to a reporter for tasting.
(Photo by Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut)
The Ministry of Commerce delivered 9 tons of longan to
Dhaka, Bangladesh under the Thai fruits air transportation to Bangladesh
Project which was set up by the Internal Trade Department. This was a
follow-up to the successful longan, rambutan, and mangosteen delivery to
Bangladesh last year, strengthening the relationship between the two
countries and to expand Thai fruits market.
This year, rambutans and mangosteens have been delivered
to 20 countries, and new markets have already been opened in India. The
ministry expects that exports will be increased by 30% next year.
Adisai said that results from the Bangladesh project last
year were quite good. The government would be trying to sell the products in
supermarkets in Bangladesh. He believes that they could compete against
fruits from Australia and New Zealand and become the leading fruit traders
in world markets.
Adisai also said the ministry chose Chiang Mai for longan
exports because it is the largest longan market in the world. Besides,
longan is not very well known in India and Bangladesh, so he wants to
introduce new things to this part of the world. “The feedback from
Bangladesh has been good. Bangladeshi people knew of rambutan and lychee,
but did know longan, the Thai northern fruit. So it’s kind of an exotic
fruit for them,” he said.
One problem is that longan is expensive because of the
transportation costs for fresh longan, but the minister of commerce said
that 10% of Bangladeshis could afford the fruit.
Many people took Mum to the zoo
Most took her home again
Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut
Many organizations collaborated on August 11-12 to
arrange 2-day activities at Chiang Mai Zoo to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Pakorn Buranupakorn, the Chiang Mai Member of Parliament, together with
Thanong Nateephitak, the director of Chiang Mai Zoo, presided over the
opening ceremony of “To Mother With Love” held at the zoo. The event was
held to celebrate the 71st Royal Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty the
Queen.
 Children
participate in milk drinking competitions.
Theera Ananworapanya, Chiang Mai Provincial Livestock
Office, and many milk vendors had an opportunity to promote their “drink
milk” campaign by arranging various activities, including fun, games and
free milk for children.
“To Mother With Love” had many educational and
entertaining activities, including exhibitions, contests, student
performances, fashion shows with mothers and children, and especially animal
performances.
Chiang Mai Zoo hoped that these activities would help
create warm and close relationships among every member in all families.
Cheap condominiums available for drug-free low-income earners
People who successfully came through the selection process
to buy Eua Arthorn low price condominiums in the government’s housing
estate were called to select their plans and attend orientation, before
making their contracts with the National Housing Authority (NHA).
Somchai Chaopruetipong, Regional Housing Authority,
Center 1 director, said that 640 people were given rights to purchase, but
30 of them had not yet registered. Their rights would be cancelled if they
do not register within 15 days and the rights would be given to other names
on the waiting lists.
There are two plans of Eua Arthorn rooms in Chiang Mai,
the F model with a 24 sq.m. multipurpose room - 524 units, and the F1 model
with 33 sq.m. which contain a bedroom and a living room and there are 116
units of these. The owners of smaller rooms have to pay at least 1,000 baht
monthly and 1,500 baht for the larger.
The NHA has said that repayments must be paid in time. In
addition, the tenants cannot sublease or transfer to any other persons
within the first 5 years and cannot alter the building without permission.
The most significant qualification is that the owners must be drug free.
APEC delegates visit Thailand OTOP exhibition
MOU signed to promote OTOP products
Supatatt Dangkrueng
During the APEC SME ministerial meeting in Chiang Mai,
the government and private sectors launched a fair they called “In Search
of Excellence: OTOP Thailand” to present and make well known Thai
products.
The fair was organized at Chiang Mai University
Convention Center August 7-10. The first two days were for wholesalers and
the other two days for retailers. The Department of Export Promotion
organized the exhibition.
 Representatives
from Thailand, England, Netherlands and Japan sign an MOU to promote OTOP
products.
Many varieties of OTOP products were on display,
including gifts and home decorative items, cloth and jewelry, food,
beverages and herbal products.
On the opening day, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
graciously presided over the OTOP exhibition when the delegates from APEC
economies visited.
The OTOP campaign was launched in 2001 to capitalize on
grassroots ingenuity to produce unique, high-quality Thai products that
could be successful in international markets. The national OTOP committee
worked out with other private and government sectors that it indeed
generates tremendous enthusiasm and productive activities in the 7,000-plus
rural communities throughout the country.
The committee this year launched their first national
OTOP Product Champions Program to select the ‘very best’ of OTOP. Nearly
17,000 products from tambons all over Thailand were entered into the
program, 325 were finally selected and were presented at this fair.
Somkid Chatusripitak, deputy PM said during his visit to
the fair that winning the championship program is not implied, winners have
reached the summit through hard work, and the rest that did not make it
shouldn’t feel they are a failure.
Before the prime minister left the fair, a signing
ceremony was held between representatives from the government of Thailand
and representatives of Selfridges & Co from England, TFT Decoration from
Netherlands and Jupiter Shop Channel from Japan, on a joint OTOP marketing
promotion project, which was witnessed by PM Thaksin, APEC delegates and the
press.
Youth can do good work if supported
Issues on sexuality and HIV/AIDS discussed
Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut
Around 40 participants from different regions of Thailand
attended the Health and Development Networks forum on Youth Advocacy
activities. It was addressed by many who attended the 9th Thai National AIDS
Seminar held in Bangkok during July.
Many topics including sexuality and HIV/AIDS were
discussed by the participants, who came from Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima,
Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Chiang Mai and Tak provinces. Other topics looked at
the appropriate age to provide sex education and the need to understand that
sexuality is much more than sexual intercourse.
Budsaya Kunakornsawat from Northern Child & Youth
Network in Chiang Mai said, “We should try to help adults understand our
needs. Young people can do good work if they are supported.”
Sutthisa Sributtrawong from the AIDS Network Foundation
Northeast in Khon Kaen added, “Young people have to stand up and be the
key to change.”
Advocacy strategies were the focus of most of the debate.
It was clear that it requires time to develop the necessary skills to
advocate effectively.
The National Seminar was the first experience for most of
the young people in attending a national level meeting of this scope. Many
of the young people felt that they were unable to cope with the number and
diversity of sessions and the amount of information available - they
reported feeling overwhelmed.
“Will people at the top listen to us?” was a question
asked openly by young members of the audience. Only time will tell, says the
voice of experience!
Home Economics research leads towards a safe environment
Thailand organized the 12th Biennial International
Congress on Asian Regional Association Home Economics (ARAHE) on “Healthy
Life in a Safe Environment: the Present Situation, Cooperation, and Future
Action” at Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Dr. Waraporn Tarnwanich, the president of Home Economics
Association of Asia stated that this conference was to publicize Home
Economics and other related fields’ research into food and nutrition,
public health, environment, women’s development, family development, and
personnel development by giving education and training which can be improve
the quality of life for the world.
Rachanee Rajaroj, president of the Economics Association
of Thailand, under the Royal Patronage of the Her Majesty the Queen, said
that Thai research is being pushed toward family problems, particularly
dealing with teenagers in modern society. The research has given ideas to
parents in paying more attention to their children in order to improve
teenagers’ behavior.
Congress activities included taking participants to
inspect the quality of life improvement project - the One Tambon, One
Products project which is based on domestic activity in the villages.
Many experts from countries in Southeast Asia and other
regions gave lectures and exchanged opinions during the conference among the
15 member countries. Prof. Dr Kasem Wattanachai, the privy councilor
presided over the opening ceremony.
Poor nutrition found in over 2,000 students in Phayao
Nuttanee Thaveephol
Over 2,000 students in Phayao Educational Region 1 areas
have been found to be suffering from poor nutrition. Sakorn Buasri, the
director of Phayao Education Region 1 said that from the survey of 54,268
students, the office had found that more than 2,000 students were
underweight, caused by poor nutrition. The problem had too causes, either
not enough food, or eating poor quality food.
The Educational Office will help the students who have
problems by providing each school with scales and height measures, along
with charts explaining about keeping healthy. Teachers will be responsible
for teaching good nutrition, exercise, and correct quantities of food for
daily consumption.
Following suggestions from Her Majesty the Queen, “Food
Bank”, an agricultural lunch food project for students, was set up to
provide nutritious food to fill up hungry students and give them more
concentration to study in class.
24-seat VIP buses get the green light
Will begin on the Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai route
Metinee Chaikuna
Thaipatanakit Transportation has spent a reputed budget
of 70 million baht to improve the green bus services, launching the new look
VIP air-conditioned buses. The inauguration ceremony was done by the
director general of Land Transports Department, Piyaphan Champasute.
Somchai Thongkamkoon, managing director of the company,
said that in the future Chiang Mai City would be the aviation hub for this
region, which means Chiang Mai would have a chance to welcome more guests in
forms of tourists, visitors and travelers from other countries.
 Thaipatanakit
Transportation’s new green buses will begin by plying the Chiang Mai -
Chiang Rai route. (Photo by Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut)
“Because of the increasing number of passengers, land
transport would be a new alternative for these people. This is why
Thaipatanakit Transportation commenced the green VIP bus services with trial
services since June,” Somchai said.
Somchai also said that the green bus project would
improve conditions both inside and outside of every kind of bus. The bus
drivers, ticket collectors, and the hostesses were trained to serve
passengers in a better standard. Information technology would be used in
each division of the company. The tickets will be sold on-line which will
connect information with all branches.
Initially, the company will open routes from Chiang
Mai-Chiang Rai, at 216 baht per passenger, Chiang Mai-Mae Sai, 266 baht, and
Chiang Mai-Nan 328 baht, and recently, the company expanded the route from
Chiang Mai to Phrae and to Nan.
Say goodbye to OV-10C Broncos
Fighter planes heading to the Philippines
Nantanee
Jedsadachaiyut
Group Caption Arnont Jarayaphan, the wing commander for
fighter operations of Wing 41, Chiang Mai base, presided over the farewell
event for the OV-10C Broncos on August 7 at the grounds in front of the
Squadron 411 hangers.
 Group
Captain Arnont Jarayaphan, the wing commander for fighter operations of Wing
41, Chiang Mai base puts a lei on one of the OV-10C Broncos. (Photo by
Metinee Chaikuna)
According to the instructions of the Commander-In-Chief
of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on June 6, 2003, the RTAF would deliver 4
OV-10C Broncos to the Philippines Air Force by September 2003 and another
batch of OV-10C Broncos in September next year.
The planes that have been earmarked to go to the
Philippines Air Force will be flown to U-Tapao Airbase in Chonburi Province
and then on to the Philippines in September.
The OV-10C Broncos have performed more than 30 years of
excellent service for the RTAF. They were used in many military operations,
including the suppression of communism, the encroachment upon Thai
sovereignty in eastern region, and the dispute over the ownership of Rom
Klao Village.
Wing Commander Vitoon Kamcharoen, the commander of
Squadron 411 of Wing 41, stated that even though effective aircraft like
OV-10C Broncos would be lost from the RTAF, good relationships between
Thailand and the Philippines will be created.
APEC and SME’s push entrepreneurship
Ministers work on strengthening the APEC entrepreneurial society
Phitsanu Thepthong
The 10th Ministerial Meeting on SME’s was held at the
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, with 21 representatives from the APEC
member countries attending the opening session. Papua New Guinea was the
only exception.
 21
representatives from APEC member countries attended the opening session of
the 10th Ministerial Meeting on SME’s in Chiang Mai.
The main agenda on the first day was to deal with
strengthening the APEC entrepreneurial society. “Thailand has paid much
interest to new financial sources to create new small and medium-scaled
enterprises,” said Somsak Thepsutin, Thai Minister of Industry, after
presiding over the opening ceremony.
Minister Somsak said APEC members realize the significant
role that SMEs play in APEC’s economic development as a whole, as SMEs
provide 30% of total employment, generating or resulting in purchase and
sale volumes up to 50%, and exports in the region of 30%.
“SME development is an important issue for the economic
growth among the Asia-Pacific region, and it is a good chance for all of us
attending this meeting to seek more policies and guidelines to create more
progress and development of the SME sector,” he said.
Hemorrhagic fever triples in Nan
Training help to reduce infection rate
Nuttanee Thaveephol
Nan Municipality has asked for the public’s cooperation
in controlling the spread of hemorrhagic fever, as 111 patients in Nan have
been diagnosed with hemorrhagic fever so far this year. “Comparing with
last year’s statistics, this is three times greater,” said Nan Mayor
Namroj.
He added that the people’s cooperation and
participation is essential for preventing and stopping this spread of the
disease. The Public Relations and Environment Unit of Nan Municipality has
therefore provided training this year to give more knowledge to the
communities’ leaders.
350 representatives from 27 communities in Nan, along
with hygiene teachers from 13 schools, participated in the training. These
people are expected to help reduce the infection rates in their communities
and in the city areas.
Wing 41 dredges canal to honor Her Majesty the Queen
Green and Clean Chiang Mai
Metinee Chaikuna
The HQ of Wing 41 arranged an activity to honor Her
Majesty Queen Sirikit by cleaning and clearing the irrigation canal in
Chiang Mai as a Royal Project. This fell in line with directives from the
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to celebrate Her Majesty’s birthday
anniversary and the PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s project of developing Chiang
Mai to be an attractive city under the Green and Clean project to attract
Thai and foreign tourists.
There were six sections of the canal where the staff and
officials needed to dredge and clean the areas around the canals which were
in the Services Station of Wing 41, Technical Operation Centre, Joining Air
force, Squadron 411, Air Force, Wing 41, and Air Force Military Police.
Flying Officer Mahittipong Worachat said that normally
Wing 41 arranged activity for all staff on every Wednesday, but this week,
the activity was more special for it was to honor HM the Queen on her
birthday.
Chiang Mai Central Prison honors Her Majesty the Queen
Three prisoners set free for good behavior
Metinee Chaikuna
Chiang Mai Central Prison last week arranged activities
inside the prison to honor HM the Queen on the occasion of her 71st
birthday, including early release of some prisoners for good behavior.
 The
prisoners’ parade included many transvestites.
The day’s activities started with a parade of
prisoners. The director of Probation and Control Center led the prisoners in
front of a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, where they took an oath not to
deal with drugs.
The development section director reported that three
prisoners were released because of their good behavior in the prison, and
were granted documentation to acknowledge this. One of the early release
prisoners said, “I was imprisoned for ya ba possession. My sentence was
for 2 years and 6 months, but was decreased to 77 days.” He promised,
“It is the graciousness of Her Majesty the Queen ... I will never forget
her kindness. I will find an honest job and will not deal with drugs
anymore.”
Other activities included aerobics, athletics, Thai
boxing, takraw, football, and table tennis. The Thai boxing was the most
popular.
In the parade, some transvestites were dressed up in
fancy costumes. The warden disclosed that in Chiang Mai Central Prison,
there are over 60 transvestites or katoeys, and over 30 foreign prisoners.
He didn’t say how many foreign prisoners were katoeys, but most of the
foreigners are imprisoned because of drugs.
18 of Lamphun’s 53 influential figures arrested
Rest are under observation says governor
Thavat Sathiennam, Lamphun governor said that the 53
influential and shadowy figures arrested includes 9 gunmen, 1 drug-related
agent, 7 squatters on public land, 2 stand-over heavies, 2 smugglers and 30
illegal employment service or illegal casino swindlers.
So far, the province has arrested 18 influential figures.
However, the police officers will still follow up influential agents
including those who have been included in the “influential blacklist” -
who will be arrested immediately if they infringe the law and the police
find enough evidence.
Governor Thavat said that every day many people provide
information regarding influential agents and he has already ordered police
officers to follow these reports. People with information on influential
agents and drug syndicates can contact the governor directly or email
thavats@hotmail.com
APEC SME meeting proposes financial contribution to fight terrorism
But it must be shared fairly
Phitsanu Thepthong
Ms Brenda Fisher of the US Department of Commerce
proposed at last week’s APEC SME working groups meeting that counter
measures to terrorism be pursued, involving contributions from SMEs. The
remarks came right on the heels of the bomb blast in Jakarta that killed at
least 10 and injured more than a hundred people.
Security at the APEC SME venue had already been beefed up
to provide safety and security for the increasing number of VIP guests
attending the APEC SME series of meetings.
Though not opposing the proposal put forward by the US
representative of the Department of Commerce, Francisco Troncoso, director
for International Relations of Chile, commented that this anti-terrorism
plan if realized would place an extra financial burden on SMEs, to the
extent that many APEC SMEs would not be able to survive, unless the
financial contributions would be applied proportionally.
He explained that the financial burden should be based on
a percentage of trade value, rather than a certain amount per transaction.
“The burden (of security) is huge but it must be shared fairly by applying
it proportionally. Besides, it should be transparent, so that there are no
unexpected follow-up changes or other hidden costs.”
Salween problems arise again
Nearly 17,000 refugees being relocated to solve deforestation
Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut
Mae Hong Son is planning to move refugees from Mae Kong
Ka-Sala refugee camps in Mae Sariang district to Mae La Aun in Sob Moei sub
district areas to solve illegal woodcutting in the Salween National Park.
Suphot Laowansiri, Mae Hong Son provincial governor, who
is also the president of the committee for transferring refugees, said that
refugees were employed illegally to cut wood in Salween National Park, in
which large tracts of forest land have been destroyed.
The relocation is also being done for safety reasons,
because their current camp site is in danger of flash floods, as happened in
2001.
The new land for the refugees in Mae La Aun village is
about 120 km away from the old land, and about 4 km from the border. The
budget for transferring the refugees is expected to be around 22 million
baht, supported by collaboration with international organizations.
The transfer of the 16,857 Burmese refugees and other
ethnic groups from the temporary refugee camps in Mae Kong Ka-Sala to the
800 rai of land in Mae La Aun village will be arranged from October to
December this year.
Killer elephant claims another three victims
Death total now five
Nuttanee Thaveephol
Plai See Daw Thung Ngern, a killer elephant, broke free
of its shackles and ran amok, killing three men and injuring another. All of
the elephant’s victims were mahouts and Royal Forestry Department
officials.
The beast has been brought under control and is now
receiving treatment at the Pan La Elephant Conservation Center, Ngao
District, Lampang.
Vet. Sitthidej Mahasawangkul, the chief veterinarian of
the Elephant Hospital at the National Elephant Institute said that Plai See
Daw Thung Ngern was shot by 6 anesthetic darts before the bull elephant
could be brought under control.
The elephant had superficial injuries only, but the most
significant feature was that it was in must.
Plai See Daw Thung Ngern is now 30 years old, and
belonged to Inta Moolmanee who had bought the elephant in Lampang in March
this year. It had killed a mahout in Sukhothai in 2001, and another mahout
in Lampang last year.
NGO’s concerned over human rights of alien workers
Inaction over Burma slammed
Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut
Some Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have warned
that the alien workers employment policy on immigrant control and
deportation is not the right solution. They feel that the government should
be concerned more about human rights than economics.
Government policy is that hiring of alien workers would
be legalized and implemented in line with demand from the domestic labor
markets and mainly focused on the industrial sector. This approach was aimed
at ending the illegal use of alien workers by local industries.
Those alien workers who entered the country illegally, or
worked in areas not permitted by the government, will be deported as same as
refugees by the National Security Council (NSC). Moreover, alien workers
will be barred from bringing their families to Thailand.
Jaras Boonraksa, the coordinator of Friends Without
Borders, a project aimed at supporting friendships between Thai and Burmese
people, claimed that the government mainly intended to dominate Burmese
immigrants who had left their homeland because of war, without any concern
for human rights.
To deal with the problem, the government should take
strong action against Burma. But if Burma continues to wipe out the ethnic
people, the problem of immigrant workers and displaced people would not
disappear, said Jaras.
Adisorn Kerdmongkol, a representative from the Thai
Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB) also expressed that this was
not a new strategy because the government had tried the same strategy many
times, and the outcome of the campaign was unsuccessful. “The problems of
Burmese alien workers are not only caused by economic factors, but also by
the interior integrity of Burma. If the Thai government continues to run the
economic process, I absolutely believe that it will be useless,” he added.
Adisorn also claimed that the Thai government had set the
policy as a result of the US financial sanctions against Burma, which would
affect the economic situation inside Burma, so more Burmese people would
migrate to Thailand. Now many Asian countries had made a clear decision to
condemn Burma, except Thailand. Undoubtedly, this is probably because the
government tried to promote Thailand as a leader of Asian economics by
creating business relations with other countries including Burma. This would
be why they did not proceed with any strong actions against Burma, said
Adisorn.
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