Land rights march reaches Govt House

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Land rights march reaches Govt House

Threats to camp out unless Yingluck acts

Published: 2 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

More than 1,000 landless villagers, slum dwellers and people affected by development projects kicked off a sit-in protest in front of Government House yesterday.

A motorcycle caravan of the People’s Movement for a Just Society proceeds along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road yesterday as about 1,000 members of the grassroots group arrive in the capital to kick off a sit-in protest at Government House. THITI WANNAMONTHA

They demanded the government address their grievances.

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onlyme
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Discussion 9 : 02 Oct 2012 at 12.129
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With no land taxes there are vast areas of Thailand that have been purchased and held for next to nothing. The land is then left untended and not cared for. Even look around Bangkok at empty houses that are falling in because the owner has either forgotten they owned it or aren't willing to pay to look after the property. If there is no cost, as in taxes, they just leave until the family wants to cash out to a new condo development. I live in a housing community where half the houses are owned but empty and attract vermin of all sorts because no one cares. I would rather at least see someone get use out land than some rich person who doesn't care.
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 8 : 02 Oct 2012 at 11.518
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A nice and meaningful initiative for a clear reason.

nice - because it seems to be peaceful
meaningful - if they have no land to stay there are on the street
clear reason - they know why they do it

Much better than the notorious red mob.
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hillfarang
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Discussion 7 : 02 Oct 2012 at 09.577
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So much cynicism here... what about the fact that a peaceful protest has arrived safely to bring attention to a very worthy cause...? That's good for democracy, no?

Please don't belittle the landless who farm (so that you can eat). They work VERY hard each day!
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pete
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Discussion 6 : 02 Oct 2012 at 07.536
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Disc 1:

Idea 1. Read the article.
Idea 2. "More than 1,000 landless villagers..........". How can they pawn a title deed if they don't have it in the first place?
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englishbob
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Discussion 5 : 02 Oct 2012 at 07.405
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Disc 3 What's the difference between handing out free land and free money for rice?
If anything, free land would at least encourage productivity.

The reason people are marching is that Yingluck promised land reform and failed to deliver again.
Empty promises tend to cheese people off.

As predicted by BP last week - http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/314413/act-now-on-land-reform
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amazed
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Discussion 4 : 02 Oct 2012 at 07.254
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There must be some mistake. The government has told us repeatedly that great strides have been made to improve the lives of the poor, and for that matter, all voters of Thailand. And besides, a lot of money is tied up in trips for select citizens and displays of gratitude to many who have put in tireless hours, all in the name of screw....I mean, serving the people.
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genii
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Discussion 3 : 02 Oct 2012 at 06.583
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Homeless poor people with motorcycles. Enough money to buy gas from Chiang Mai and live and eat on the streets for an extended period of time. You cannot simply give someone elses land to someone because they have lived on it or worked it. This sounds like people wanting a free hand out. If you give one a piece of land everyone in the country will want their free share as well.
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rastas
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Discussion 2 : 02 Oct 2012 at 06.552
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Don't hold your breath for anything to happen, especially if there's no money in it for the Puyai!
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khunbj
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Discussion 1 : 02 Oct 2012 at 06.441
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To be a bit cynic then I would bet that the vast majority of the demonstrators would pawn a land title deed right away if they ever got their hand on one, so this is not an easy problem to solve centrally, whether "Somsak" should be entitled to keep staying at land x owned by person y, that should be sorted out locally, giving them a land ownership certificate won't change anything as it will be pawned before you can say "land reform" and the land will end in the pockets of the rich again. So it will require an alternative approach, any ideas ?
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Land rights march reaches Govt House | Bangkok Post: news