Slum dwellers cash in as 'rent-a-mobs' for rallies

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Slum dwellers cash in as 'rent-a-mobs' for rallies

Sources in Bang Khen allege that a major political party paid residents from the low-income area to bolster numbers at its campaign rallies

Published: 10/07/2011 at 02:51 AM
Newspaper section: Spectrum

There are hundreds of slums in Bangkok and each basically constitutes a rural setting amid an urban environment. The sub-standard housing complexes of Bang Khen contain more than 10,000 inhabitants and run some five kilometres along Phahon Yothin Road opposite the 11th Infantry Regiment from Wat Bang Bua to Wat Phra Si Maha That.

MOBILE MOB: Left, Bang Khen residents en route to the July 1 rally. Four buses made the trip to the rally but only one was available for the trip back.

Such constituencies have a social structure, communal leadership and camaraderie not found in middle-class neighbourhoods.

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Writer: Frank Lombard

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mphilips
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Discussion 2 : 12/07/2011 at 07:22 PM2
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Nice. Bury the story in the "Investigative report" section. Don't mention the party involved but mention Pheu Thai four times. Dishonest? Unethical? Bangkok Post? Surely not.
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mithuna
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Discussion 1 : 10/07/2011 at 10:36 PM1
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"A major political party" rented crowds? Unbelievable! It is obvious from this article that it's the Democrat party that rented the crowds, but you are too timid -- or too biased -- to say so. Not one mention of the Democrat party in this article!
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Slum dwellers cash in as 'rent-a-mobs' for rallies | Bangkok Post: news