Sunday, April 26, 2009
Hopes Awaited!
This webblog is created by young Thai journalists’ hearts which aim to reflect the story of Thai society from our own perspectives. We hope that this weblog would be another source to provide useful facts about human rights issues in Thailand. We want to help people as much as we can by being and expressing their voices. We want to create equality and want everybody to share opinions on human rights in different topics. Besides, we have also gathered the names of non profit human rights organizations and foundations in Thailand in local, national and international levels. “Deeds, not words” is our motto. We hope that everyone who read our articles would want to give a hand to help those people. We do NOT want you to donate only but we want you to volunteer, give them your support, anything you can do and the most important thing is your heart! You don’t have to wait to start doing good things. Do it now! Do it for your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children who share my, your and our world.
Thai Foundations for Social Development
Thai Fund Foundation: http://www.tff.or.th/
Thai Non-profit Organisation Centre: http://www.thaingo.org/
Human Rights Organisations
The Mirror Foundation: http://www.mirror.or.th/
The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand: http://www.nhrc.or.th/
Mirror Art Foundation: http://www.mirrorartgroup.org/
Foundation For Karen: http://www.karencenter.com/
Organisation for Stateless Person: http://www.statelessperson.com/
Volunteer Work
http://www.thaivolunteer.org/
http://www.actionaidthailand.org/
http://www.konjaidee.com/ (Thai Version Only)
http://www.bannok.com/
Children Organisations
National Children and Youth Development Foundation: http://www.dordek.org/
Education for Children: http://www.dpf.or.th/
Child Care: http://www.ffc.or.th/
Foundation for Slum Child Care: http://www.fscc.or.th/
Children and Family Rights: http://www.thaichildrenright.net
Children and Youth Press (Pineapple Eye Club): http://www.thailandkid.com/
Women Rights Organisations
United Nations Development Fund for Women: http://unifem-eseasia.org/
Catholic Commission for Women: ccw@chct.net
Anti- Human Trafficking Organisations
The Mirror: http://www.notforsale.in.th/
Centre of Tracking for Missing people: http://www.backtohome.org/
Others
Music for Others: http://www.meunhom.com/
Thai Foundations for Social Development
Thai Fund Foundation: http://www.tff.or.th/
Thai Non-profit Organisation Centre: http://www.thaingo.org/
Human Rights Organisations
The Mirror Foundation: http://www.mirror.or.th/
The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand: http://www.nhrc.or.th/
Mirror Art Foundation: http://www.mirrorartgroup.org/
Foundation For Karen: http://www.karencenter.com/
Organisation for Stateless Person: http://www.statelessperson.com/
Volunteer Work
http://www.thaivolunteer.org/
http://www.actionaidthailand.org/
http://www.konjaidee.com/ (Thai Version Only)
http://www.bannok.com/
Children Organisations
National Children and Youth Development Foundation: http://www.dordek.org/
Education for Children: http://www.dpf.or.th/
Child Care: http://www.ffc.or.th/
Foundation for Slum Child Care: http://www.fscc.or.th/
Children and Family Rights: http://www.thaichildrenright.net
Children and Youth Press (Pineapple Eye Club): http://www.thailandkid.com/
Women Rights Organisations
United Nations Development Fund for Women: http://unifem-eseasia.org/
Catholic Commission for Women: ccw@chct.net
Anti- Human Trafficking Organisations
The Mirror: http://www.notforsale.in.th/
Centre of Tracking for Missing people: http://www.backtohome.org/
Others
Music for Others: http://www.meunhom.com/
Do they really deserve ‘Statelessness’?
By Lalita Leesiriwattana
Try to imagine, if you were born in Thailand, but have no nationality which means you have no legal rights to work, study, vote for the election, or even a right to live in a land where you were born, what would you do? Surely, for the consequences, you would be treated differently from those who got ID card. Because, first, they might think that you are a terrorist or a bad person due to the bias that most people have hold for a long time.
Nowadays, this has still been a big issue that needs to be solved immediately. Because, in Thailand, there are over 500,000 stateless people and about 150,000 of them are still kids. Normally, kids should be taught in order to be a good grown-up in the future. But, kids with no nationality have no rights to do anything, and they tend to be bounded in a limited area, and treated like they are not human being at all. Actually, these kids who were born in Thailand should have a legal right to live. It is not their faults at all, and no one can judge whether they deserve or not deserve to be Thai.
“One of the main reasons for kids who were born with no nationality is that their parents are very poor,” said Wiwut Tamee, the administrator of Highland People Taskforce “The village headman may keep the money for a child registration too expensive. Since they have no money to pay, their innocent kids have no choice but to be stateless. They don’t even deserve this.”
Moreover, there are many other reasons such as the unsuccessful of the census and the illiteracy of people which means they don’t know how to register the newborn child.
Everyday, these people are usually offended by some groups of Thais who think that they are more powerful and honorable. These people have no job out there due to their incredibility of having no ID card to show their identity. Most companies are afraid of having these stateless labors because it is illegal. These have led many stateless people to fight and seek a better life in Bangkok or other cities by being a maid, which is a job that usually doesn’t require an ID card or anything.
“I first came to Bangkok a couple of years ago and got a job of being a maid illegally,” said Pisa, a 29-year-old stateless person from Karen tribe in Thailand. “At first I don’t like the life here, but now I really enjoy it because I got money sent back to my family. If I go back to my hometown, I’ll end up doing nothing. It’s totally worth my time being here. And, I now already got a legal passport to work.”
It seems that many stateless people have been trying to prove themselves that they are Thai because no one wants to be violated. Some of them even have a proof to show to the authority that they really are Thai, but the authority doesn’t seem to believe, they usually make a hasty judge that these people are all the same as if they are not human being. The involved authorities should be fair to everyone not specially treat only someone they like, or shouldn’t take a bribe which will block the growth of the country.
“I think people always misunderstand the stateless people due to the incorrect information from the government,” added Wiwut “The government should make a clear understanding to Thai society about the fact that people who have no nationality are not always bad. A lot of people are biased and easily judge these people, which have caused them to be a kind of burden in the society.”
Every year, there is a stateless kids’ day which is held annually since the year 2003. This day is held for the purpose of discussing the issue and finds any solutions for the problem by many involved organizations. People should understand that, these kids were born in Thailand; speak Thai language and spend their whole life in the country. Why wouldn’t they have the same rights like us? Even their parents were not born in Thailand; they still should have the equal rights with every other kid in the country. The government should not just abandon the entity of them. These kids are also the future of the country. We should not just easily cut their opportunity like the way we used to do.
“Now, I just hope that the government sectors, especially the National Security Council will help improving the lives of these kids which still need many fundamental rights such as nursing and learning. Please don’t think that they are not Thai, so they are dangerous to the stability of the nation. It is totally unfair for them, ” said Wiwut
The problem has remained unsolved, even some government sectors already helped some people to have a Thai nationality, but that’s not enough. The main study is about the case of Yuthana Pamawan, the fifth year medical student from Chulalongkorn University. He was born in Thailand, but with some misunderstandings of the authority, he got a Vietnamese nationality instead, which caused him to face many obstacles. For example, he used to get a scholarship to Japan, but have to give it up because he has no Thai passport. And recently, he nearly could not study at Chulalongkorn University due to the limitation of the law.
“I’ve been trying to get a Thai nationality since I was about 8, but it seems that no one cares about my case,” said Yuthana “This problem may look insignificant and not urgent for someone, but I think it’s a problem that can be solved like my case. Who knows, in the future, these stateless people may become a great human resource for the country.”
Until now, there are hundreds of thousand people waiting for us to at least understand them. Even if, legally, they are not Thai by nationality, but we can be sure that in their hearts, there are full of nationalism. They just wait to the day when they can proudly say that they are Thai.
Try to imagine, if you were born in Thailand, but have no nationality which means you have no legal rights to work, study, vote for the election, or even a right to live in a land where you were born, what would you do? Surely, for the consequences, you would be treated differently from those who got ID card. Because, first, they might think that you are a terrorist or a bad person due to the bias that most people have hold for a long time.
Nowadays, this has still been a big issue that needs to be solved immediately. Because, in Thailand, there are over 500,000 stateless people and about 150,000 of them are still kids. Normally, kids should be taught in order to be a good grown-up in the future. But, kids with no nationality have no rights to do anything, and they tend to be bounded in a limited area, and treated like they are not human being at all. Actually, these kids who were born in Thailand should have a legal right to live. It is not their faults at all, and no one can judge whether they deserve or not deserve to be Thai.
“One of the main reasons for kids who were born with no nationality is that their parents are very poor,” said Wiwut Tamee, the administrator of Highland People Taskforce “The village headman may keep the money for a child registration too expensive. Since they have no money to pay, their innocent kids have no choice but to be stateless. They don’t even deserve this.”
Moreover, there are many other reasons such as the unsuccessful of the census and the illiteracy of people which means they don’t know how to register the newborn child.
Everyday, these people are usually offended by some groups of Thais who think that they are more powerful and honorable. These people have no job out there due to their incredibility of having no ID card to show their identity. Most companies are afraid of having these stateless labors because it is illegal. These have led many stateless people to fight and seek a better life in Bangkok or other cities by being a maid, which is a job that usually doesn’t require an ID card or anything.
“I first came to Bangkok a couple of years ago and got a job of being a maid illegally,” said Pisa, a 29-year-old stateless person from Karen tribe in Thailand. “At first I don’t like the life here, but now I really enjoy it because I got money sent back to my family. If I go back to my hometown, I’ll end up doing nothing. It’s totally worth my time being here. And, I now already got a legal passport to work.”
It seems that many stateless people have been trying to prove themselves that they are Thai because no one wants to be violated. Some of them even have a proof to show to the authority that they really are Thai, but the authority doesn’t seem to believe, they usually make a hasty judge that these people are all the same as if they are not human being. The involved authorities should be fair to everyone not specially treat only someone they like, or shouldn’t take a bribe which will block the growth of the country.
“I think people always misunderstand the stateless people due to the incorrect information from the government,” added Wiwut “The government should make a clear understanding to Thai society about the fact that people who have no nationality are not always bad. A lot of people are biased and easily judge these people, which have caused them to be a kind of burden in the society.”
Every year, there is a stateless kids’ day which is held annually since the year 2003. This day is held for the purpose of discussing the issue and finds any solutions for the problem by many involved organizations. People should understand that, these kids were born in Thailand; speak Thai language and spend their whole life in the country. Why wouldn’t they have the same rights like us? Even their parents were not born in Thailand; they still should have the equal rights with every other kid in the country. The government should not just abandon the entity of them. These kids are also the future of the country. We should not just easily cut their opportunity like the way we used to do.
“Now, I just hope that the government sectors, especially the National Security Council will help improving the lives of these kids which still need many fundamental rights such as nursing and learning. Please don’t think that they are not Thai, so they are dangerous to the stability of the nation. It is totally unfair for them, ” said Wiwut
The problem has remained unsolved, even some government sectors already helped some people to have a Thai nationality, but that’s not enough. The main study is about the case of Yuthana Pamawan, the fifth year medical student from Chulalongkorn University. He was born in Thailand, but with some misunderstandings of the authority, he got a Vietnamese nationality instead, which caused him to face many obstacles. For example, he used to get a scholarship to Japan, but have to give it up because he has no Thai passport. And recently, he nearly could not study at Chulalongkorn University due to the limitation of the law.
“I’ve been trying to get a Thai nationality since I was about 8, but it seems that no one cares about my case,” said Yuthana “This problem may look insignificant and not urgent for someone, but I think it’s a problem that can be solved like my case. Who knows, in the future, these stateless people may become a great human resource for the country.”
Until now, there are hundreds of thousand people waiting for us to at least understand them. Even if, legally, they are not Thai by nationality, but we can be sure that in their hearts, there are full of nationalism. They just wait to the day when they can proudly say that they are Thai.
When will the politicians stop being greedy?
Op-ed Article
By Little Wish
I wonder when Thai politicians will stop corrupting and when the merchants will stop their greed. This week if you follow the news, you will know the news about the low quality of free school milk. When I saw this news, firstly I was so upset and then started blaming the greedy politicians and the milk vendor. Poor little children! Why they have to be the victims for the greediness of the adults? For me, this is unacceptable.
Recently, the director of Pak Lek School in Choomporn’s Phato district complained about the lack of milk quality that the government gave the children for free. The Pak Lek School’s students refused to drink because it is tasteless. And the teachers believed that it simply made from powder with high proportion of water. After this became a big story, the Food and Drug Administration did the laboratory test and confirmed that the free milk has the fat level of only 2.6% while the FDA standard is 3.2%.
Milk package was just a small plastic bag with the label writing “school milk” and the expiry date on it. There is no approval sign of Food and Drug Administration and nor the name of manufacturer. Free school milk project is under the control of the local administration. I think this is a result of the local administration and the local suppliers who are blinded with greed. The supplier intend to not print the manufacturer name because they know that this milk is low standard and produced in the bad will and tries to cover themselves if people know that milk is lack of standard.
I do not know how they can be so greedy. They can do anything to get the profit as much as they can even hurt the others or at least, the children.
This is not the first time that free school milk scandal has happened. It had happened along since the project of distributing free school milk was launched a decade ago. The true objective of distributing free milk for the children is, the government wants to promote children’s physical and mental growth. But in the real world, seem that the objective is just like the cloud that can see but it is nothing. No one take it for serious matters but see it as an opportunity for gain money and a lot of profit.
Milk provides a powerful nutrition package of nine essential nutrients including calcium, protein and potassium which is essential for children. Milk also contains seven different vitamins and minerals needed for many body functions. Nutrition in milk will help the physical and mental development and performance of children. So what will happen to the children who did get malnutrition? But more worse is the toxic milk.
The current free milk scandal is now on an investigation process of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission. They are preparing to investigate into the bidding process. I think it is good to do so. But I wonder why we have to wait for the story to become people interests before the investigation happen. How the manufacturers can produce drinking milk without the FDA approval? And could it possible for the local administrative accept tones of milk with label containing only the word “school milk” and not having the name of manufacturer itself.
When the politicians will do the thing for the people with the heart and think of the public more than themselves? When the merchant will stop being greedy? When will people stop being selfish? So when the corruption will come to an end?
Now Thai people see the corruption as a normal thing. Do you think it is right to think that way? The Officials from the top of the Thai hierarchy until local officers are all related to the corruption. There are so many corruptions occur. Therefore it might be the reason to make us use to it. But for me, it is not an excuse for us to just sit down and accept it. So what is the point of having the Anti- Corruption Commission and the court? And we, as the citizen, why we just be a watch dog for our society, our lives, our future and our children? We cannot just bow you head down and accept the fate that our advantages are taken away by those we have chosen (Politicians). It is time for us to help each other to stop the corrupted politicians and greedy merchants. Dare to fight for the right thing.
By Little Wish
I wonder when Thai politicians will stop corrupting and when the merchants will stop their greed. This week if you follow the news, you will know the news about the low quality of free school milk. When I saw this news, firstly I was so upset and then started blaming the greedy politicians and the milk vendor. Poor little children! Why they have to be the victims for the greediness of the adults? For me, this is unacceptable.
Recently, the director of Pak Lek School in Choomporn’s Phato district complained about the lack of milk quality that the government gave the children for free. The Pak Lek School’s students refused to drink because it is tasteless. And the teachers believed that it simply made from powder with high proportion of water. After this became a big story, the Food and Drug Administration did the laboratory test and confirmed that the free milk has the fat level of only 2.6% while the FDA standard is 3.2%.
Milk package was just a small plastic bag with the label writing “school milk” and the expiry date on it. There is no approval sign of Food and Drug Administration and nor the name of manufacturer. Free school milk project is under the control of the local administration. I think this is a result of the local administration and the local suppliers who are blinded with greed. The supplier intend to not print the manufacturer name because they know that this milk is low standard and produced in the bad will and tries to cover themselves if people know that milk is lack of standard.
I do not know how they can be so greedy. They can do anything to get the profit as much as they can even hurt the others or at least, the children.
This is not the first time that free school milk scandal has happened. It had happened along since the project of distributing free school milk was launched a decade ago. The true objective of distributing free milk for the children is, the government wants to promote children’s physical and mental growth. But in the real world, seem that the objective is just like the cloud that can see but it is nothing. No one take it for serious matters but see it as an opportunity for gain money and a lot of profit.
Milk provides a powerful nutrition package of nine essential nutrients including calcium, protein and potassium which is essential for children. Milk also contains seven different vitamins and minerals needed for many body functions. Nutrition in milk will help the physical and mental development and performance of children. So what will happen to the children who did get malnutrition? But more worse is the toxic milk.
The current free milk scandal is now on an investigation process of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission. They are preparing to investigate into the bidding process. I think it is good to do so. But I wonder why we have to wait for the story to become people interests before the investigation happen. How the manufacturers can produce drinking milk without the FDA approval? And could it possible for the local administrative accept tones of milk with label containing only the word “school milk” and not having the name of manufacturer itself.
When the politicians will do the thing for the people with the heart and think of the public more than themselves? When the merchant will stop being greedy? When will people stop being selfish? So when the corruption will come to an end?
Now Thai people see the corruption as a normal thing. Do you think it is right to think that way? The Officials from the top of the Thai hierarchy until local officers are all related to the corruption. There are so many corruptions occur. Therefore it might be the reason to make us use to it. But for me, it is not an excuse for us to just sit down and accept it. So what is the point of having the Anti- Corruption Commission and the court? And we, as the citizen, why we just be a watch dog for our society, our lives, our future and our children? We cannot just bow you head down and accept the fate that our advantages are taken away by those we have chosen (Politicians). It is time for us to help each other to stop the corrupted politicians and greedy merchants. Dare to fight for the right thing.
Breaking the glass ceiling
By Aticha Tienprasertkij
Nowadays we usually believe that our world tends to have equality between men and women than that of the past. But if we take a deeper look we can see that many countries still appreciate with men more than women. Each country always has various reasons why men tend to be so important and more powerful than women including Thailand.
In the past, people in Thailand looked at men as a boss for everything because they were high educated and were stronger than women. But as the time goes by everything has been changing relatively into a positive way. People in Thailand and other countries perceive women in the better way than they did in the past. The gap between men and women becomes smaller everyday. This seems like a good sign but actually we can’t be so sure that the gap is really getting smaller in every aspect of our life. The most distinguished field within Thailand is all about the working position.
People in Thailand prefer men to work in a high position job like being a CEO and other managing positions than women. Khun Ming is another woman who has been through a tough life before becoming a CEO of a famous publishing company. When Khun Ming was young she tried to search for things she loves to do. Khun Ming and friends used to do a small business together. This first experience taught her how to sell products, how to deal with the customers and other beneficial skills in working. She finally knew what she loves at that time.
“After I knew that I love marketing, I picked marketing as my major at St. John’s University,” said Khun Ming, 49, a CEO of a publishing company. “Then I figured out that my life at that time wasn’t as easy as I thought but I kept telling myself to keep on trying and be patient.”
Khun Ming worked for a couple of jobs including being a secretary. Then, she was curious why women always have to be assistants for men and why she saw only a few women who worked at the high position jobs. She finally became a hard working woman who had a strong inspiration to reach to the top position. She worked really hard with all of her efforts and patience and finally she can break the glass ceiling and finally reached her dream. She is now a CEO of a very famous publishing company.
“I had been working for twenty five years before I had an opportunity to step on this position.” she said proudly.
She also looks after the marketing strategies within the company and takes care of fashion in a fashionable magazine. The magazine which she deals with is one of the main magazines of the company and she is very proud of it.
The old tradition of Thai culture represents that men were preferable and talented than women. Khun Ming accepts that this idea was true in the past but as the times passed by we can see that this present time many women are very talented and maybe even more talented than men.
“I think women shouldn’t let the old tradition shapes their behaviors,” she added with a serious voice. “We must stand up and let others see how good and how capable we are.”
Juthamard Komin is another hard working woman who wants to be a CEO for a big company as well. She is now a third year student of Thammasat University and also a freelance. Juthamard thinks that many companies should provide a female CEO so that those companies will have a new perspective of working. She admits that a male CEO is very keen on their works but sometimes those men always use the same strategies in their working life. She thinks that if women have a chance to be a CEO they would have new unique strategies to deal with the companies. They would have an opportunity to present women perspective in their work as well. And Juthamard hopes that her idea can partly balance the gap of equality between men and women in long terms.
For now Juthamard thinks that people in Thailand still stick with the old tradition which means men are better than women.
“Generally, people would say both genders are equal but in doing I don’t think so,” said Juthamard Komin, 21, a third year student from Thammasat University and a freelance. “Many famous companies hire men to work at the high position jobs than women. They might think that men are more reliable and responsible than women.”
But Juthamard who was very young still has a lot of time to gain tons of experience in order to reach her goal. She assumed that people in Thailand would change their perspectives and attitudes on women into a better way in the near future.
“I think people would accept more women to take place as the CEO and women will have more chance to do better jobs” she added with a hopeful voice “I hope that women will have more chance to express their thought in the society and I think the new generation people would focus on the quality of people more than which gender we are.”
In Thailand, the glass ceiling in the working area seems to be the thickest one to break. Many women have to be extremely patient to get through this hardest part in their working life. They just have a faith that women will be more acceptable in the working area in the future. They hope that the invisible glass ceiling which limits the opportunity of women would disappear or at least become softer for them.
Nowadays we usually believe that our world tends to have equality between men and women than that of the past. But if we take a deeper look we can see that many countries still appreciate with men more than women. Each country always has various reasons why men tend to be so important and more powerful than women including Thailand.
In the past, people in Thailand looked at men as a boss for everything because they were high educated and were stronger than women. But as the time goes by everything has been changing relatively into a positive way. People in Thailand and other countries perceive women in the better way than they did in the past. The gap between men and women becomes smaller everyday. This seems like a good sign but actually we can’t be so sure that the gap is really getting smaller in every aspect of our life. The most distinguished field within Thailand is all about the working position.
People in Thailand prefer men to work in a high position job like being a CEO and other managing positions than women. Khun Ming is another woman who has been through a tough life before becoming a CEO of a famous publishing company. When Khun Ming was young she tried to search for things she loves to do. Khun Ming and friends used to do a small business together. This first experience taught her how to sell products, how to deal with the customers and other beneficial skills in working. She finally knew what she loves at that time.
“After I knew that I love marketing, I picked marketing as my major at St. John’s University,” said Khun Ming, 49, a CEO of a publishing company. “Then I figured out that my life at that time wasn’t as easy as I thought but I kept telling myself to keep on trying and be patient.”
Khun Ming worked for a couple of jobs including being a secretary. Then, she was curious why women always have to be assistants for men and why she saw only a few women who worked at the high position jobs. She finally became a hard working woman who had a strong inspiration to reach to the top position. She worked really hard with all of her efforts and patience and finally she can break the glass ceiling and finally reached her dream. She is now a CEO of a very famous publishing company.
“I had been working for twenty five years before I had an opportunity to step on this position.” she said proudly.
She also looks after the marketing strategies within the company and takes care of fashion in a fashionable magazine. The magazine which she deals with is one of the main magazines of the company and she is very proud of it.
The old tradition of Thai culture represents that men were preferable and talented than women. Khun Ming accepts that this idea was true in the past but as the times passed by we can see that this present time many women are very talented and maybe even more talented than men.
“I think women shouldn’t let the old tradition shapes their behaviors,” she added with a serious voice. “We must stand up and let others see how good and how capable we are.”
Juthamard Komin is another hard working woman who wants to be a CEO for a big company as well. She is now a third year student of Thammasat University and also a freelance. Juthamard thinks that many companies should provide a female CEO so that those companies will have a new perspective of working. She admits that a male CEO is very keen on their works but sometimes those men always use the same strategies in their working life. She thinks that if women have a chance to be a CEO they would have new unique strategies to deal with the companies. They would have an opportunity to present women perspective in their work as well. And Juthamard hopes that her idea can partly balance the gap of equality between men and women in long terms.
For now Juthamard thinks that people in Thailand still stick with the old tradition which means men are better than women.
“Generally, people would say both genders are equal but in doing I don’t think so,” said Juthamard Komin, 21, a third year student from Thammasat University and a freelance. “Many famous companies hire men to work at the high position jobs than women. They might think that men are more reliable and responsible than women.”
But Juthamard who was very young still has a lot of time to gain tons of experience in order to reach her goal. She assumed that people in Thailand would change their perspectives and attitudes on women into a better way in the near future.
“I think people would accept more women to take place as the CEO and women will have more chance to do better jobs” she added with a hopeful voice “I hope that women will have more chance to express their thought in the society and I think the new generation people would focus on the quality of people more than which gender we are.”
In Thailand, the glass ceiling in the working area seems to be the thickest one to break. Many women have to be extremely patient to get through this hardest part in their working life. They just have a faith that women will be more acceptable in the working area in the future. They hope that the invisible glass ceiling which limits the opportunity of women would disappear or at least become softer for them.
Rights of Thai farmers
By Wanwarang Maisuwong
Rice bowl is another word used to describe Thailand. The word refers to an abundance of natural resources.
Farmers are the people who work on the fields, producing main food for the entire nation and also people in other countries. They are considered to be the backbone of the country; who work hard among the sunlight but gain very little in return.
It is still a question that why the farmers are still poor, while the price of rice keeps getting higher. Who is going to answer this question and who will be protecting and standing beside Thai farmers?
“I quit school when I was 13-year-old,” said Mr.Preecha Ruangjan, the 55-year-old, governor of Pitsanulok, “My parents were so poor and I had to work in the paddy fields along with them to feed my other siblings.”
There are many species of Thai rice from the past until now; the one that is well-known and the most delicious called Jasmine rice. The species keep spreading wider in recent years; opening choices of rice to consumers. Even there are some more choices, but the price of rice in the market is still high, and it seems to be getting higher in every single year. Most of Thai farmers have low education; they do not have many alternatives for their lives. The only thing they can do is working on their own fields or rent somebody’s fields in order to earn money to live their lives and satisfy their needs. They are human being; they are supposed to get rights and protection as well as others.
Rice bowl is another word used to describe Thailand. The word refers to an abundance of natural resources.
Farmers are the people who work on the fields, producing main food for the entire nation and also people in other countries. They are considered to be the backbone of the country; who work hard among the sunlight but gain very little in return.
It is still a question that why the farmers are still poor, while the price of rice keeps getting higher. Who is going to answer this question and who will be protecting and standing beside Thai farmers?
“I quit school when I was 13-year-old,” said Mr.Preecha Ruangjan, the 55-year-old, governor of Pitsanulok, “My parents were so poor and I had to work in the paddy fields along with them to feed my other siblings.”
There are many species of Thai rice from the past until now; the one that is well-known and the most delicious called Jasmine rice. The species keep spreading wider in recent years; opening choices of rice to consumers. Even there are some more choices, but the price of rice in the market is still high, and it seems to be getting higher in every single year. Most of Thai farmers have low education; they do not have many alternatives for their lives. The only thing they can do is working on their own fields or rent somebody’s fields in order to earn money to live their lives and satisfy their needs. They are human being; they are supposed to get rights and protection as well as others.
“I let my cousin rent my paddy field,” said Miss Boonsong Hongtong, a paddy field owner, “But he does not often pay me the rent cost, he has to pay back for his debts.”
The farmers spend most of their daily time in the fields; from planting until harvesting. They put all efforts to produce the most efficient rice. When the rice is ready to sell, the farmers will automatically take the rice to the intermediaries who may be the rice mills, because there is no direct market to sell the rice to the consumers. The intermediaries will later turn the paddy to the raw rice ready for cooking by using technology and expensive machines; in which the farmers themselves have no supports to buy those costly things.
The farmers have to deal with all production processes of making rice; they also have to deal with the price when they face with the intermediaries.
“I want to cook expensive food for my family after selling rice to the mills,” said Mrs.Pattanee Rodyoo, a 27-year-old farmer, “But when I got money from the rice mill, I would stop thinking about good food.”
Apart from devoting their physical and sometimes, mental energy, the farmers also spend money they earn for investment; including; water supply, seed plants, fertilizers, employees, and furthermore they have to pay back their creditors who lend them the money with very high interest rates.
“After I subtract overall expenditure,” said Mrs.Pattanee, “I would leave money only for all necessities and I have to save it for the next season, then I don’t have to borrow.”
Rice mills are considered to be the only people who directly contact to the farmers and buy their products. They pretend to maintain fairness and to provide help to any farmer. On the other hand, they are educated people who seem to be the thinkers and the farmers are just the doers. The rice mills try to lower the price of rice, because, anyway the farmers have to sell them the paddy. There is no wonder that the farmers always come out and call for their rights from government. This may be the only way they can do to deal with the price and higher their standard of living. If there is no response from anyone, then they would stop growing rice, and all Thais will have nothing to consume.
“There are often the protests to bargain the price in front of the city hall,” said Mr.Vorathep Virojphun, Local Administrator, Nakhonsawan Province, one of the rice bowls of Thailand, “They require a higher price and they want us to provide them loans with low rates.”
As we heard in the news, the rice mills moreover cheat on rice stocking. They store some stocks of rice to get a higher price later. It has been being a big issue on media, because it affects the whole country. When they store the rice, then the price of rice in the current market will be higher, and there won’t be enough rice for consumers. And especially, this problem immediately affects the farmers; it discourages them to keep working on their forefathers’ occupation.
“I took those who cheated on rice stocking to the paddy field,” said Mr.Preecha Ruangjan, a former governor of Phijit where the cheating occurred, “I required them to harvest with me, to see and feel how hard the farmers work; and they should not cheat on them anymore.”
The harvesting season was originally around January and February of every year, but nowadays the farmers do the harvest any time they want according to water supply goes through anywhere around Thailand. The government is trying to help them to earn more money and conserve the occupation that transfers from generation to generation. While the non-government organizations have been also established to provide more opportunities to farmers; for example; Thai rice exporter association who aims to encourage rice export internationally and make more investment on Thai rice; and Thai rice mills association, they try to cooperate with other organizations and set the standard price of rice.
If nobody responds to the farmers’ rights, those farmers will be still offended and violated; and this occupation will no longer exist in Thailand and we may have to import rice to eat.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A woman who dedicates her life to work for others.
Live for Others
By Little Wish
Warming smile with modest gesture is the way Mrs Jiranun Sakultangphaisal greeting. A 45 year old woman, who dedicated her life to work for society and the people. She was recently awarded as one of Thailand's 100 Leading women by HRH Princess Somsavali.
By Little Wish
Warming smile with modest gesture is the way Mrs Jiranun Sakultangphaisal greeting. A 45 year old woman, who dedicated her life to work for society and the people. She was recently awarded as one of Thailand's 100 Leading women by HRH Princess Somsavali.“I think if all the people are caring and loving, this world would be a better place for us all to live”, said Mrs Jiranun. “Just start from your little circle, and extending it to the community. What we do will be beneficial to ourselves, our surroundings, and would hopefully lead to a cease in problems in society.”
She is a Board of Directors of the Thai Catholic Commission for Women, the Chairman of the Parish Council, Local Governmental Corporation Committee, Board of Directors of Bangkok Opera Foundation.
She is a Board of Directors of the Thai Catholic Commission for Women, the Chairman of the Parish Council, Local Governmental Corporation Committee, Board of Directors of Bangkok Opera Foundation.
She said that every social works she is doing are varied and she is happy to be part of helping people in different ways.
While she was giving an interview, there were at least 3 phone calls to her. She told that everyday there will be many persons; friends, colleagues, and her workers call for life advice and even talks of Dharma. She told that even she is a catholic but she think Dharma is the best way that can lead people out from sorrow.
Everyone who knows her would know that before she decided to work for the society and the people, she was a famous business woman in Northeastern of Thailand. She was an owner of two biggest shopping malls in Nongkhai.
She said that while she was a business woman, her life was so busy. She did not have time for others even her family. But after the economic recession in 1997, which affected her business a lot, so she began to think of others.
“I faced many harsh problems at that time, I was so depressed that I did not know what to do,” said Mrs Jiranun Sakultangphaisal. “It was of family that reminded me that money is not as important as time I could give to them. And what would the society be like if everyone only thinks about themselves and money. That was what inspired me to ‘live for others’.”
Thai Prisoner's Life
"I was a prisoner", what do you think about me?
By Little Wish
“Never return” is the phrase written on the jail gate. In fact many prisoners, who have been released, always return again. Why? Is it because of prisoners themselves or because of us?
“I had sworn that I would not go back in jail again,” Nan, who did not want to give her full name, 20 years old woman prisoner who has been arrested twice, said with tears. “But I had to, they didn’t give me a chance. I have to sell it again; drugs. I had no choice. I didn’t have any money. I could not get the legal job. No one hired me. No one wanted to work with me.”
Many employers do not want to hire the ex-prisoners, believing that they may cause a problem.
“It depends on what they have committed but personally I don’t want to hire the ex-prisoners,” said Mr Thanong Khanthong, The Nation editor, “I want to avoid the problems as much as I can.”
Most of people are scared and feel unsafe when working with the people who have committed crimes.
“I think we should give them a chance but it is still scary for me if I have to work with the ex-prisoner,”
said Boonmee Suknum, 40 years old house keeper, “it would be hard…”
While, many ex-prisoners ask the society to give them another chance.
“You have no idea what we have been through. I know I’ve done wrong. And I’ve paid by getting imprisoned. Life in jail is the worst thing,” said with tears, Nan, the prisoner, “But when I went out it was worse, when people disgusted me and gave me that look even I tried to become a new person.”
Life behind the jail wall, how is it? Have you ever wondered how the criminals live? A hundred of prisoners have to stay, sleep and eat in the same one room like sardines. The old torn maps are their beds. For those who do not have relatives sending food or money, they have to work to get money. Some may iron the clothes for the warders, cooking or doing some thing you cannot accept. Some have to go inside the nose level tanks that are full of faeces, dig them and clean up. Some have to work as prostitutes in order to get money to buy the toothpaste.
They suffer both physically and psychologically, in their minds.
“I always dream of the life outside the jail,” Dao, who did not want to reveal the full name, a woman prisoner said. “How my daughter and my family are. I always think if I were out now, what would I be doing. I am just counting for the day I will be released every day, every hour.”
While some wish they could turn back time.
“My parents, they cannot accept it and never ever visited me,” a 19 years old woman prisoner who want to be unnamed, a half Thai-Chinese with a beautiful face, was sentenced for 3 years imprisonment on drug criminal, said. “I miss them so much. I know I’ve done wrong. I wish I could turn back time.”
Giving the second chance for the prisoners is the issue that many nonprofit organizations are working on.
“We want people to give them a chance because no one wants to do bad things and everyone has done wrong,” said Mrs Somsong Boonaroonraksa, a former vice-president of the Catholic Commission for Women in Thailand. “We should change our attitudes toward them.”
Thai Catholic Commission for Women is another organization which has been working hard on this issue. They always organise workshops to ‘lift them up’ and cultivate inner morals for prisoners.
“We came for cheer them up,” said Dr Lamduan Chinmanophan, the committee of Thai Catholic Commission for Women. “The reason for doing this is to change them to become good people once they are released. To prevent them from hurting us again, we should help them to become good people and the most important thing is giving them a chance to start again.”
Not only the nonprofit organizations that have their concerns on this issue, the warders and jail officers also take this as a serious issue.
“While in prisons, we teach them how to work; cook, bake, make bags and so on. Because we want them to get the job and do not want them to come back,” said Mr Phonchai Waithayavijit, the chief officer of Samuthsakorn provincial jail. “We are doing our best to prevent them going back to their same track and hurt others. It’s up to you now that you will give them a chance to make up themselves, allowing them to do good deeds.”
By Little Wish
“Never return” is the phrase written on the jail gate. In fact many prisoners, who have been released, always return again. Why? Is it because of prisoners themselves or because of us?
“I had sworn that I would not go back in jail again,” Nan, who did not want to give her full name, 20 years old woman prisoner who has been arrested twice, said with tears. “But I had to, they didn’t give me a chance. I have to sell it again; drugs. I had no choice. I didn’t have any money. I could not get the legal job. No one hired me. No one wanted to work with me.”
Many employers do not want to hire the ex-prisoners, believing that they may cause a problem.
“It depends on what they have committed but personally I don’t want to hire the ex-prisoners,” said Mr Thanong Khanthong, The Nation editor, “I want to avoid the problems as much as I can.”
Most of people are scared and feel unsafe when working with the people who have committed crimes.
“I think we should give them a chance but it is still scary for me if I have to work with the ex-prisoner,”
said Boonmee Suknum, 40 years old house keeper, “it would be hard…”
While, many ex-prisoners ask the society to give them another chance.
“You have no idea what we have been through. I know I’ve done wrong. And I’ve paid by getting imprisoned. Life in jail is the worst thing,” said with tears, Nan, the prisoner, “But when I went out it was worse, when people disgusted me and gave me that look even I tried to become a new person.”
Life behind the jail wall, how is it? Have you ever wondered how the criminals live? A hundred of prisoners have to stay, sleep and eat in the same one room like sardines. The old torn maps are their beds. For those who do not have relatives sending food or money, they have to work to get money. Some may iron the clothes for the warders, cooking or doing some thing you cannot accept. Some have to go inside the nose level tanks that are full of faeces, dig them and clean up. Some have to work as prostitutes in order to get money to buy the toothpaste.
They suffer both physically and psychologically, in their minds.
“I always dream of the life outside the jail,” Dao, who did not want to reveal the full name, a woman prisoner said. “How my daughter and my family are. I always think if I were out now, what would I be doing. I am just counting for the day I will be released every day, every hour.”
While some wish they could turn back time.
“My parents, they cannot accept it and never ever visited me,” a 19 years old woman prisoner who want to be unnamed, a half Thai-Chinese with a beautiful face, was sentenced for 3 years imprisonment on drug criminal, said. “I miss them so much. I know I’ve done wrong. I wish I could turn back time.”
Giving the second chance for the prisoners is the issue that many nonprofit organizations are working on.
“We want people to give them a chance because no one wants to do bad things and everyone has done wrong,” said Mrs Somsong Boonaroonraksa, a former vice-president of the Catholic Commission for Women in Thailand. “We should change our attitudes toward them.”
Thai Catholic Commission for Women is another organization which has been working hard on this issue. They always organise workshops to ‘lift them up’ and cultivate inner morals for prisoners.
“We came for cheer them up,” said Dr Lamduan Chinmanophan, the committee of Thai Catholic Commission for Women. “The reason for doing this is to change them to become good people once they are released. To prevent them from hurting us again, we should help them to become good people and the most important thing is giving them a chance to start again.”
Not only the nonprofit organizations that have their concerns on this issue, the warders and jail officers also take this as a serious issue.
“While in prisons, we teach them how to work; cook, bake, make bags and so on. Because we want them to get the job and do not want them to come back,” said Mr Phonchai Waithayavijit, the chief officer of Samuthsakorn provincial jail. “We are doing our best to prevent them going back to their same track and hurt others. It’s up to you now that you will give them a chance to make up themselves, allowing them to do good deeds.”
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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