Bill on the homeless passes first reading

[Lite Beer]

Bill on the homeless passes first reading
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday passed a bill on protecting homeless people in its first reading.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, who proposed the bill, told the NLA that

the aim was to help homeless people become financially, physically and mentally stable.

The bill defines homeless people as "stray" people who do not have an income or those in a financial crisis and aims to provide them with welfare.

As per the bill, a committee - chaired by the Social Development and Human Security Minister - will be set up and tasked with monitoring the homeless, providing them with shelter, food and clothes as well as helping them find employment.

NLA member Wallop Tangkananurak said this was a good opportunity to help homeless people, not just in terms of social welfare but also in terms of development.

Another NLA member, Songsuda Yodmani, voiced concern about whether the homeless would include migrants in Thailand.

Adul, however, pointed out that the bill only covers Thai citizens, though the government would help destitute foreigners according to international human rights principles, he said.

The bill was unanimously voted in and passed the first reading. An ad hoc panel has been set up to consider the bill before it is returned to the NLA for second and third readings.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Bill-on-the-homeless-passes-first-reading-30244249.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-27

[Iumentum]

Good to hear. This can and will only be able to benefit everyone. The cost of the project will be far less than the cost for the society as a whole.

For foreign cases, i hope that in one specific case, the guy will end up in immigration jail for a while when visa expire because no one wish to help him again. Then he can sit there and "pay the price" for his fun in Pattaya.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Iumentum

[Jim walker]

mentally stable, quite a few Thais with a home need looked at also, like the gang with the metal bars who attacked a tourist because he looked like a tour guide.

[ChrisY1]

This is good news....probably open to misuse in the early stages, but at least some recognition for the very poor and homeless.........and there's so many of them.

[MobileContent]

Excellent news

[jaltsc]

"...the aim was to help homeless people become financially, physically and mentally stable."

Sounds good on the surface. However, other nations with extremely better economies, vocational programs and mental health systems have not been able to tackle this problem on a national level.

[spidermike007]

Really great news. With the government supporting such a measure, there is bound to be a trickle down effect into society. Thailand is emerging as a larger economy, and they have yet to learn how to spread the wealth around, so that the less fortunate can have some benefit from a prosperous nation. This is a good first step, in the right direction. Kudos to the powers that be, for thinking of others.

[oztaurus]

"...the aim was to help homeless people become financially, physically and mentally stable."

Sounds good on the surface. However, other nations with extremely better economies, vocational programs and mental health systems have not been able to tackle this problem on a national level.

But Thailand will not be copying or researching those other countries, economies, vocational programs and mental health systems. Thailand will develop its own unique home-grown system full of "Thainess" - but you wouldn't understand that, being a farang and all.

[rickirs]

Anyone notice that all bills presented to the NLA not only pass on first reading but unanimously with exception of usually the same three absentees? No discussion, no objections, no amendment.. Just absolutely perfect legislation coming from an absolutely perfect power. Surely all democratic governments wil envy Thailand's effective methods of governance.

[Benmart]

Anyone notice that all bills presented to the NLA not only pass on first reading but unanimously with exception of usually the same three absentees? No discussion, no objections, no amendment.. Just absolutely perfect legislation coming from an absolutely perfect power. Surely all democratic governments wil envy Thailand's effective methods of governance.

Not being Thai, it's none of my business.

[rakman]

Just a piece of advice, the Thai's will do as they wish.

Like the German tourist with the swollen leg recuperating in a bar, the majority of "homeless" will not improve themselves off the program. This happens in every country that implements these programs.

Here in the US, we have 82 programs to eliminate the problem, but the problem and the programs persist, and continue to grow.

Unless there is some "tough love" employed, the numbers and costs will grow and grow.

[Suradit69]

mentally stable, quite a few Thais with a home need looked at also, like the gang with the metal bars who attacked a tourist because he looked like a tour guide.

For some reason, vulnerable people, whether homeless, aged, tourists or gay, seem to attract vicious attacks in Farang Land too, I suppose some of it is an attitude fostered by society toward those considered "others" and an attempt on the part of the attackers to bolster their own sense of powerlessness.

Homeless people experienced a 23 percent surge in targeted attacks last year as compared to the number of assaults in 2012, according to preliminary figures released by the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH).

In 2013, there were a total of 108 reported attacks against the homeless, according to preliminary figures. Nineteen of those assaults resulted in death, Stoops said. The year before, there were 88 reported attacks, 18 of which resulted in death.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/31/homeless-attacks_n_5063662.html

[millwall_fan]

As per the bill, a committee - chaired by the Social Development and Human Security Minister - will be set up and tasked with monitoring the homeless, providing them with shelter, food and clothes as well as helping them find employment.

It's hard to believe that this 'provision' will amount to anything other than a Victorian style workhouse. and of course once the bill is passed (as it inevitably will be) they will have to make it illegal to be homeless -otherwise they will lose face.