Forum
to be held at Thammasat
Three sessions to be held in the provinces
Onnucha Hutasingh, Ampa Santimetanidol and Anchalee
Kongrut, Bangkok Post, Aug 10, 2000
The government and Assembly of the Poor
have agreed to hold their public forum in the small auditorium of
Thammasat University on Aug 17.
Akapol Sorasuchart, the government spokesman, said the public forum on
the problems of the poor will be broadcast live on Channel 11 and Radio
Thailand between 11am-4pm.
A government co-ordinating panel and assembly representatives will
today discuss procedure of the forum. The assembly initially proposed
Senator Chirmsak Pinthong as moderator.
The government will explain its policies on dams, forests and land.
The government also decided to organise three other forums in the
provinces. The first will be held in Chaiyaphum to discuss construction of
Lam Khan Chu dam, the second in Si Sa Ket will deal with Rasi Salai dam
and the third in Ubon Ratchathani will tackle Pak Moon dam.
The dates of the provincial forums, which are intended give the public
a better idea of government policies, will be decided soon by both sides.
"I would like to stress that the forums are for solving problems,
not for creating conflicts. So the assembly is invited to
participate," Mr Akapol said.
Wanida Tantiwittayaphitak, adviser to the assembly, said members would
explain why they were so persistent in seeking full responses to their 16
requests. Assembly representatives said they had enough evidence to show
the public the cabinet's July 25 and Aug 8 resolutions did not completely
solve their problems.
Ms Wanida said the assembly was not trying to play a political game but
anticipated the forum would lead to more than lip service.
"We just want to point out that all 16 problems are larger than
laws and principles. The government and public need to rethink basic
assumptions in dealing with problems on local resources," she saidThe
cabinet's June 30,1998 resolution on forest encroachment and redundant
compensation would be two of the issues highlighted in the forum.
The assembly was also to establish their makeshift village, Moo Ban
Khon Chon (Village of the Poor) or Mae Moon Man Yuen 9, at the protest
site near Government House.
The official opening, to which Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and
Interior Minister Banyat Bantadtan were invited, included a music concert
and likay (traditional plays) which were performed yesterday and would
continue during the next few nights
Try
dinner date, Chuan told
Yuwadee Tunyasiri, Bangkok Post, Aug 10, 2000
The prime minister can show Pak Moon dam
protesters he is actually their friend by inviting them to dine with him
at his Ban Phitsanulok official residence, reform advocate Prawase Wasi
suggested yesterday.
Dr Prawase said Chuan Leekpai might think giving a free meal would be
tantamount to giving a bribe, but he would be surprised at how well things
would turn out.
Rural villagers, he said, gave much importance to eating together and
thought of those they were dining with as their friends.
Representatives of the poor could air their grievances to the prime
minister who would listen, and together with his government try to find
solutions.
Also, the prime minister could instruct the King Prachadipok Institute
or the Office of the Research Support Fund to submit within one month an
outline of a plan to reshape legal, economic and development structures
that were unfair to the poor.
Dr Prawase had earlier said the poor were the product of the systems
which failed to protect their interest and deprived them of their natural
resources.
- The Foreign Ministry has issued a statement on the Pak Moon dam
protest to Thai embassies and officials based overseas so they can answer
inquiries in the same line.
The statement explained what had happened since July 17 when 225
protesters were held after breaking into the compound of Government House. |
