TRT's Policies Push Poor `further Into Debt'

[Baaksida]

Policies push poor `further into debt'

Cash-injection not the answer, says governor

PREEYANAT PHANAYANGGOOR

Pattaya _ Policies which inject cash into local communities have only put poor people even further in debt, the governor of Nakhon Ratchasima said yesterday.

Pongpayom Watsaputi said he agreed with the government's attempt to solve debt problems, but many government policies themselves led to debt problems.

Cash-injection policies had resulted in unnecessary spending on luxury goods such as motorcycles, televisions and mobile phones.

These policies included the one-million baht village fund, the SML scheme and the proposed community bank.

Speaking at a four-day retreat for CEO governors, Mr Pongpayom said the government did not seem serious about tackling vice, particularly alcohol.

Alcohol was widely available, even from mobile food vendors and cheap karaoke stores with permission from the excise department. Widespread alcohol consumption led to social problems including accidents and HIV/Aids.

Mr Pongpayom suggested an emergency debt fund be set up for governors, or a centre to tackle poverty and buy the debts of poor people.

Many elderly people lost their assets after their children used their houses or assets as collateral when requesting loans.

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said governors should solve the problem of land shortage and find living space for poor people. The government would finish surveying land across the country next year, which would give a clearer picture of land problems.

Deputy Prime Minister Pinit Charusombat proposed a special economic zone be created in the three southernmost provinces under the supervision of the prime minister to increase investment in the deep South. This would be a good way to develop Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala since it would allow flexible management.

Mr Pinit pointed to Shenzhen in China, which was transformed from a rural community into one of the fastest growing cities in China after a special economic zone was put in place, as a good example to follow.

(Bangkok Post, Thursday 25 November 2004)

[Pattayaguy1999]

Policies push poor `further into debt'

Cash-injection not the answer, says governor

PREEYANAT PHANAYANGGOOR

Pattaya _ Policies which inject cash into local communities have only put poor people even further in debt, the governor of Nakhon Ratchasima said yesterday.

Pongpayom Watsaputi said he agreed with the government's attempt to solve debt problems, but many government policies themselves led to debt problems.

Cash-injection policies had resulted in unnecessary spending on luxury goods such as motorcycles, televisions and mobile phones.

These policies included the one-million baht village fund, the SML scheme and the proposed community bank.

Speaking at a four-day retreat for CEO governors, Mr Pongpayom said the government did not seem serious about tackling vice, particularly alcohol.

Alcohol was widely available, even from mobile food vendors and cheap karaoke stores with permission from the excise department. Widespread alcohol consumption led to social problems including accidents and HIV/Aids.

Mr Pongpayom suggested an emergency debt fund be set up for governors, or a centre to tackle poverty and buy the debts of poor people.

Many elderly people lost their assets after their children used their houses or assets as collateral when requesting loans.

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said governors should solve the problem of land shortage and find living space for poor people. The government would finish surveying land across the country next year, which would give a clearer picture of land problems.

Deputy Prime Minister Pinit Charusombat proposed a special economic zone be created in the three southernmost provinces under the supervision of the prime minister to increase investment in the deep South. This would be a good way to develop Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala since it would allow flexible management.

Mr Pinit pointed to Shenzhen in China, which was transformed from a rural community into one of the fastest growing cities in China after a special economic zone was put in place, as a good example to follow.

(Bangkok Post, Thursday 25 November 2004)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would be a little more positive towards the econmic zone idea if the muslims in the south didn't consider themselves muslims first and Thais second.

The infusion of cash just pointed out what we already know. Thais are not very good at the long term view. With cash available they are going to spend for today, tomorrow may never come.

[p1p]

It seems all my staff now have revolving loans under the Million Baht scheme. Borrow for a year, end of year borrow from money lender to repay then borrow again to repay the money lenfer. Average loan between 25 and 40K Baht. Debts they would not have if not for Taxin.

Current comments are that they have to vote TRT in the next power purchase or they risk losing their credit and therefore, some of them, their homes.

Money was used to purchase TVs, Stereos, Motorcycles etc. None was invested to gain a return.

[toastwars]

With mass advertising and in your face marketing wherever you look it is small wonder that missuse of credit facilities is rife. With yet more to come now that the free trade agreement with the US is coming into efffect, I fear the problem will worsen until a massive debt crisis looms. It is just not feasable to offer the rural poor these credit facilities, the lack of education and experience is a recipe for disaster. Thailand will rue the day Mr.T came up with that little vote buyer.

[eljeque]

""""""""""I would be a little more positive towards the econmic zone idea if the muslims in the south didn't consider themselves muslims first and Thais second.""""""""""

The people there consider themsleves Malay and then Muslim.

The Thai people consider them Muslim

The Central Thai creed consider everyone who is not from their little rice patty

below them.

[gievali]

If only them paranoid so called budhist well of TH elite govs would understand that they can't buy people with freaking money all of the freaking time !

Including there own very poor mostly rural true budhist followers let alone the fierce muslims in the south who want real recognisition of their culture/religion from the intolerant budhist TH state of which they are forced to be citizens since 1930 AD something.

Let them spend coz in the end i bed it's them who are gonna have to pay anyway.