False Dreams Being Sold To The Poor

False dreams being sold to the poor: Korat governor

Published on November 25, 2004

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Pongpayom Wasaputi yesterday blasted the government for failing to curb vice and gambling, yet encouraging lavish spending.

Pongpayom was speaking at a meeting on social problems chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh in Chon Buri.

The three biggest problems facing people today are debts, land and shelter, according to Chavalit.

Pongpayom said the state had failed in helping people solve their debt problems, which is one of the main items on the government’s social agenda.

“The government injects money at the grass-roots level to spur spending but the people use the money on unnecessary items such as mobile phones, cars and drinks,’’ he said.

Thailand ranks fifth in the world in alcohol consumption, he said. “This is the root of poverty, but the government does not attack the problem correctly,’’ he said.

He said drinking leads to many social problems, including crime and accidents. “Alcoholic drinks can be bought even on streets from vendors because the Excise Department allows them to sell the drinks,’’ he said.

To solve land problems, Pongpayom suggested the government set up emergency funds and let district chiefs and governors buy the land of owners who had defaulted on their payments.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

(The Nation, Thursday 25 November 2004)