Homeless in Bangkok
Did you know that there was an organisation for the homeless people in Bangkok, Thailand? I don’t mean one of those NGO (non government organisations) charities but a Thai initiative run by (presumably homeless) Thais in the Capital.
“network of homeless people..rally on city hall”
The NHP, Network of Homeless People has this week been rallying outside of City Hall in Bangkok. Indignant at apparently having been lumped in the same basket as ’drug users and criminals’ by the police, the homeless of Bangkok had something else to worry about.
Many of the homeless involved in the rally had been living in Sanam Luang. The police have been enforcing a curfew in that area that bars access to ’drifters’ between the hours of 11pm and 5am. If you’re caught there during that time, you have to show your ID card. This is not something some homeless people will want.
Insulted by the actions of the police, the leader of the NHP made the point that despite homeless, the members of the NHP in Bangkok were not without day jobs and were otherwise normal law abiding citizens.
“promises of free medical checkups”
Government ministers responded by reassuring that although they could no longer sleep in Sanam Luang, the homeless shelter, promised to have been built by now, will soon be constructed. They were also given promises of free medical checkups and temporary shelter near Sanam Luang.
Thai academics have been quick to point out that the large numbers of people are unlikely to vanish simply because the police move them on. They will have to sleep somewhere and the police are simply moving the problem to another area of Bangkok.
The expected homeless shelter will hold a maximum of 100 people. As yet, there are no other plans to build any shelters in the city.
Updates this week
As usual this week has seen several new articles. You Thailand lovers can start with Chiang Mai and Lanna. Then, remind yourself how hungry you are with a look at Food in Thailand.
The Phillipines is beautiful this time of year. Has anyone been watching the series ’Lost’ on TV? The island the drama takes place on isn’t far off Boracay, Fantasy Island. The Rice Terraces in Banaue are also worth a peek.
Which country in SE Asia owns the title ’The Golden Land’? You’ll be surprised.
Imagine being the first Westerner to discover the Cambodian temples! That’s what Henri Mouhot did. You can read more about the Cambodian Temples in the article on Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.
Finally, Vietnam articles on Ho Chi Minh City and Shopping in Vietnam have been published to compliment the growing collection of Photos of Vietnam in the gallery. Have a good week.