Pattaya Moves On Homeless Problem

[Rimmer]

Pattaya moves on homeless problem

Promises deportation of destitute, mentally ill foreigners

PATTAYA:--Publicity over the growing number of Thai and foreign homeless on Pattaya’s streets finally has prompted city officials to convene a committee to address the problem.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh chaired the March 6 city hall session attended by Chonburi Immigration Police, Chonburi’s Social Development and Human Security Office and Banglamung Hospital. The goal of the meeting was how to handle not only vagrants, but the mentally ill wandering the streets.

Officials noted the problem is not an easy one to get a handle on because Thai law does not allow the state to arrest or commit people to shelters simply for being homeless. Unless they are minors or certifiably mentally ill, they cannot be forcibly removed from the streets if they don’t want to go.

Full story:http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/pattaya-moves-on-homeless-problem-11220

-- Pattaya Mail 2012-03-23