PM proposes low-cost housing for low-income families

[umbanda]

The idea is great, and is in practice in many countries...but...in most countres, low income housing becomes gettos and focus of criminality. This kind of projects needs a lot of urban and social research and planning, and Thailand do not show so much expertice in those areas. Even irich ndividuals and companies building homes and commercial facilities in THailand, rarely do any pofessiona research, and most of the times, do not even use the services of architects and planners.

The idea is great. The results can be catastrofic for the people and the environment, if not done properly.

[fred Kubasa]

A friend of mine in Phuket who built/owned/managed a top tourist oriented hotel then built a low income

multiple room building with " bare bones " amenities -- no TV/air con/shared showers/minimal furniture,

etc. You could install air con/TV and other amenities at your own cost but most renters just wanted a safe/secure

fairly quiet place , but most importantly, a roof they could afford over their heads. He rents for 2,000 a month and the waiting list is very long.

The Patong police force also has dormitory style facilities which the city erected and I believe they only pay electric and water. Bangkok Phuket Hospital built a similar building right across the way, ( about 100 meters) from the hospital for their staff so there are people,( Not the government), who have done this for decades.

[heybruce]

Is the government going to build low-cost housing for the poor?

There was a time, not too long ago, when this would have been criticized as unaffordable populism.

You don't see the difference? In this scheme, poor people benefit.

That is the claim made for every program of this nature. The allegations of corruption and cries that it's unaffordable come later.

[casualbiker]

Who says this government isn't smart and responsive? They'd already tried building high cost housing for the poor, but didn't sell too well. Reminds me of liberal party in Australia suggestion regarding high priced housing in Sydney "Get a well paying job".....

When did the Prayuth government build high cost housing?

[uivs]

Is the government going to build low-cost housing for the poor?

There was a time, not too long ago, when this would have been criticized as unaffordable populism.

You don't see the difference? In this scheme, poor people benefit.

That is the claim made for every program of this nature. The allegations of corruption and cries that it's unaffordable come later.

The difference is the corruption in Thaksin's scam was evident before the units were even built.

.

Edited June 16, 2015 by uivs

[Jonmarleesco]

A creditable idea. Less sure about the mass-transit stations or major public-transport systems locations.

[heybruce]

Is the government going to build low-cost housing for the poor?

There was a time, not too long ago, when this would have been criticized as unaffordable populism.

You don't see the difference? In this scheme, poor people benefit.

That is the claim made for every program of this nature. The allegations of corruption and cries that it's unaffordable come later.

The difference is the corruption in Thaksin's scam was evident before the units were even built.

What Thaksin scam involved building units?

What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/thai-junta-beset-by-corruption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830349-human-trafficking-crackdown-thai-army-officer-faces-13-charges/?hl=%2Bhuman+%2Btrafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?

Edited June 16, 2015 by heybruce

[wabothai]

PM proposes, that's all. He has proposed on a daily basis. Nothing new.

[Pimay1]

Who says this government isn't smart and responsive? They'd already tried building high cost housing for the poor, but didn't sell too well. Reminds me of liberal party in Australia suggestion regarding high priced housing in Sydney "Get a well paying job".....

They'd already tried building high cost housing for the poor, but didn't sell too well.

I missed that article. Can you be so kind as to post a link?

[halloween]

What Thaksin scam involved building units?

just a couple of examples for the apparently newly-arrived-to-Thailand group:

AEC finds more graft in housing project

discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

"About 15 contractors are suspected of paying bribes similar to the Pastiya case," panel chairman Kaewsan Atibhodi said, in reference to the Thai-Malaysian joint-venture builder.

The joint venture was accused of paying 470 Million Baht to win the job to build 7,500 units.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

- The Nation 2007-12-09

Holy kickbacks, Batman. That's over B60,000 per unit.

[dominique355]

Some try to be popular with government subsidised cars, other with government subsidised condos.

The more thing are different the more they are the same.

[Basil B]

i was under the impression high-rise public housing didn't work out so well in the UK.

And we also have the "affordable housing scheme" where developers promised to build affordable house for the not so well off, many developers have reneged on their obligations, so if it does not work in the UK certainly will not in Thailand.

Re: high rise in the UK, the problem was the people they put in them.

[heybruce]

That is the claim made for every program of this nature. The allegations of corruption and cries that it's unaffordable come later.

The difference is the corruption in Thaksin's scam was evident before the units were even built.

What Thaksin scam involved building units?

just a couple of examples for the apparently newly-arrived-to-Thailand group:

AEC finds more graft in housing project

discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

"About 15 contractors are suspected of paying bribes similar to the Pastiya case," panel chairman Kaewsan Atibhodi said, in reference to the Thai-Malaysian joint-venture builder.

The joint venture was accused of paying 470 Million Baht to win the job to build 7,500 units.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

- The Nation 2007-12-09

Are you one of the newly arrived? Your article was from 2007; check and see who was in charge then.

Any comment on the rest of my post, which you edited out:

"What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.c...ption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa....an +trafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?"

[heybruce]

That is the claim made for every program of this nature. The allegations of corruption and cries that it's unaffordable come later.

The difference is the corruption in Thaksin's scam was evident before the units were even built.

What Thaksin scam involved building units?

just a couple of examples for the apparently newly-arrived-to-Thailand group:

AEC finds more graft in housing project

discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

"About 15 contractors are suspected of paying bribes similar to the Pastiya case," panel chairman Kaewsan Atibhodi said, in reference to the Thai-Malaysian joint-venture builder.

The joint venture was accused of paying 470 Million Baht to win the job to build 7,500 units.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

- The Nation 2007-12-09

Are you one of the newly arrived? Your article was from 2007; check and see who was in charge then.

Any comment on the rest of my post, which you edited out:

"What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.c...ption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa....an +trafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?"

[halloween]

What Thaksin scam involved building units?

just a couple of examples for the apparently newly-arrived-to-Thailand group:

AEC finds more graft in housing project

discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

"About 15 contractors are suspected of paying bribes similar to the Pastiya case," panel chairman Kaewsan Atibhodi said, in reference to the Thai-Malaysian joint-venture builder.

The joint venture was accused of paying 470 Million Baht to win the job to build 7,500 units.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

- The Nation 2007-12-09

Are you one of the newly arrived? Your article was from 2007; check and see who was in charge then.

Any comment on the rest of my post, which you edited out:

"What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.c...ption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa....an +trafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?"

The INVESTIGATION was in 2007, and we know who was in charge then. BUT "the latest case concerns the Ua Athorn affordable housing project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration." http://www.nationmultimedia.com/homeAOT-chief-clarifies-30016483.html

[BirdsandBooze]

I doubt the truly poor, as opposed to low income people, who live in tin shacks along the khlongs will be able to afford one of these units. Many of these people have three plus children so a 30 sq metre condo would be a non starter for them, assuming they could even get a loan. As for these affordable condo areas becoming ghettoes, I doubt it. They won't be rentals like on a South London sink estate, they will be owner occupied.

[mikekiteboarder]

Thiis is not a new idea. My secretary bought one of these low cost units new on the south side of pattaya behind alankran. It cost 400 000thb but she was not allowed to pay cash. She had to take out an 800k loan over a long period.

[heybruce]

What Thaksin scam involved building units?

just a couple of examples for the apparently newly-arrived-to-Thailand group:

AEC finds more graft in housing project

discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

"About 15 contractors are suspected of paying bribes similar to the Pastiya case," panel chairman Kaewsan Atibhodi said, in reference to the Thai-Malaysian joint-venture builder.

The joint venture was accused of paying 470 Million Baht to win the job to build 7,500 units.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

- The Nation 2007-12-09

Are you one of the newly arrived? Your article was from 2007; check and see who was in charge then.

Any comment on the rest of my post, which you edited out:

"What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.c...ption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa....an +trafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?"

The INVESTIGATION was in 2007, and we know who was in charge then. BUT "the latest case concerns the Ua Athorn affordable housing project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration." http://www.nationmultimedia.com/homeAOT-chief-clarifies-30016483.html

Wrong link, unless Thaksin was proposing a housing project at Suvarnabhumi Airport. So far your evidence that Thaksin was involved in some kind of housing project corruption consists of a Nation article published over a year after the 2006 coup, during which time the country was under military rule or the rule of the military installed government. The article also doesn't mention the name of Thaksin. Curiously, this seems to be proof enough for Ned55.

However I will take as a given that there have been problems with housing projects, and government contracting in general, in the past in Thailand. A problem that existed long before Thaksin, and that obviously continued after he was removed from power. I assume there have also been problems with military contracts as well, but since the military doesn't allow itself to be investigated, that will be difficult to prove. In view of this, what makes you think this housing project will be any different?

[Nickymaster]

Ohh? You'd have to get rid of all the big fancy high so condos next to them Mr PM. Good luck to you on that.

Silly comment. There Is still space enough everywhere to realize his plan.

[halloween]

Are you one of the newly arrived? Your article was from 2007; check and see who was in charge then.

Any comment on the rest of my post, which you edited out:

"What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.c...ption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa....an +trafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?"

The INVESTIGATION was in 2007, and we know who was in charge then. BUT "the latest case concerns the Ua Athorn affordable housing project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration." http://www.nationmultimedia.com/homeAOT-chief-clarifies-30016483.html

Wrong link, unless Thaksin was proposing a housing project at Suvarnabhumi Airport. So far your evidence that Thaksin was involved in some kind of housing project corruption consists of a Nation article published over a year after the 2006 coup, during which time the country was under military rule or the rule of the military installed government. The article also doesn't mention the name of Thaksin. Curiously, this seems to be proof enough for Ned55.

However I will take as a given that there have been problems with housing projects, and government contracting in general, in the past in Thailand. A problem that existed long before Thaksin, and that obviously continued after he was removed from power. I assume there have also been problems with military contracts as well, but since the military doesn't allow itself to be investigated, that will be difficult to prove. In view of this, what makes you think this housing project will be any different?

Bruce, try to overcome your Thaksin apologist inertia to read past the first few lines and you will find this sentence ".Although the AEC has a policy of not revealing any particulars of the cases it was examining, the latest case concerns the Ua Athorn affordable housing project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration."

Did you expect the Thaksin administration to be investigated while it was still in office? which is exactly why we have coups, to prosecute the criminal activity of so-called "democratic" governments.

BTW I don't post wrong links.

[heybruce]

Are you one of the newly arrived? Your article was from 2007; check and see who was in charge then.

Any comment on the rest of my post, which you edited out:

"What makes you think that a junta that won't allow investigations of corruption allegations http://thediplomat.c...ption-scandals/ and a military involved in people smuggling http://www.thaivisa....an +trafficking won't allow corruption in this scam scheme?"

The INVESTIGATION was in 2007, and we know who was in charge then. BUT "the latest case concerns the Ua Athorn affordable housing project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration." http://www.nationmultimedia.com/homeAOT-chief-clarifies-30016483.html

Wrong link, unless Thaksin was proposing a housing project at Suvarnabhumi Airport. So far your evidence that Thaksin was involved in some kind of housing project corruption consists of a Nation article published over a year after the 2006 coup, during which time the country was under military rule or the rule of the military installed government. The article also doesn't mention the name of Thaksin. Curiously, this seems to be proof enough for Ned55.

However I will take as a given that there have been problems with housing projects, and government contracting in general, in the past in Thailand. A problem that existed long before Thaksin, and that obviously continued after he was removed from power. I assume there have also been problems with military contracts as well, but since the military doesn't allow itself to be investigated, that will be difficult to prove. In view of this, what makes you think this housing project will be any different?

Bruce, try to overcome your Thaksin apologist inertia to read past the first few lines and you will find this sentence ".Although the AEC has a policy of not revealing any particulars of the cases it was examining, the latest case concerns the Ua Athorn affordable housing project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration."

Did you expect the Thaksin administration to be investigated while it was still in office? which is exactly why we have coups, to prosecute the criminal activity of so-called "democratic" governments.

BTW I don't post wrong links.

You certainly posted a lame link here. A single sentence buried in an article about Suvarnabhumi Airport that says the AEC is looking into a housing project initiated by the Thaksin administration. No further details. Not that it matters, I accept that government contracts in Thailand generally have some dirt attached, but is this all you've got to support your claim in post #35: "The difference is the corruption in Thaksin's scam was evident before the units were even built."?

Your next paragraph is tragically amusing:

"Did you expect the Thaksin administration to be investigated while it was still in office? which is exactly why we have coups, to prosecute the criminal activity of so-called "democratic" governments."

Do you expect anyone to investigate the military when it is either in charge or threatening a coup? Who will prosecute the criminal activity of the undemocratic junta's?

Once again, what makes you think this investigation adverse, corruption tainted military junta will do any better on their housing project?