On the recent release of Human Rights Watch's report, "Two Years with No Moon: Immigration Detention of Children in Thailand" (BP, Sept 2), I wish to put things into perspective, taking into account the reality of the whole situation.
Before the release of this report, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the National Security Council had an open discussion with the HRW researcher in charge of writing this report.
She thanked the government for its openness in engaging with HRW, as well as its long-standing tradition of providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to various groups of migrants.
While Thailand pays serious attention to the HRW report and has provided our responses to HRW’s preliminary findings since mid-August, which are included as an appendix to the publication, we still find that many parts of the report do not fairly reflect the whole picture, nor has it acknowledged the best efforts that Thailand has put into taking care of migrant children.
For instance, the Central Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok has provided day care services for children, a medical clinic, exercise area, long-distance phone booths for detainees, with the support of international organisations (IOM) and NGOs (Maryknoll Thailand, Jesuit Foundation Prison Ministry, Catholic Office For Emergency Relief and Refugees).
Similar to HRW’s reports on the same issue in many other countries, some small, arbitrarily selected samples were used to generalise the big picture in an unfair manner to push forward an agenda.
Some questions should also be raised regarding the methodology of this report, particularly the limited number of interviewed cases, as well as the choices of visited immigration detention centres outside Bangkok.
In addition, most of the visits were carried out on an ad hoc basis, some even without notifying the authorities on the ground.
This raises doubts about how information could be obtained accurately during such private chats without an interpreter.
While reaffirming our commitment to looking after migrants in need of protection, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, Thailand is of the view that migration problems should not be shouldered by any country alone.
It must be a shared responsibility for all concerned for the problem to be solved at the root cause.
Sek Wannamethee
Director-general,
Department of Information,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The good ‘charlatans’
Isan proofreader (“Beware the charlatans”, Postbag, Sept 14) looks at Thailand’s English teacher dilemma from an immature perspective.
There is one person mentioned as an example of ineptness. No one is saying that all non-certified teachers are adept.
On the other side of the coin, there are reams of inept certified teachers. Here are just two of many I’ve met: a handsome young Frenchman and a middle-aged Finn.
Both had sterling qualifications, and both secured prestigious professorships at top Thai Universities. Unfortunately for their students, neither could speak understandable English.
Native English speakers who are eager to work as teachers should be at least given a chance. If they’re of poor quality, let them go — same for a person with a degree who proves to be a poor quality teacher.
The fact remains that Thai teaching facilities are crippled by byzantine laws which require college degrees to teach.
These are similar to the Thai laws which require anyone running for political office to have a university degree.
Look at the politicians Thailand has been saddled with and then tell me if that’s a reasonable requirement.
Thai youngsters need all the help they can get regarding learning English.
They sit in English classes for 14 years, but at the end of them, can’t put a three-word sentence together. Obviously the current system is failing.
There are some good quality teachers with degrees. Yet there is also a vast untapped resource of native English speakers who are willing to teach/tutor or lecture — yet are disallowed because of a piece of official paper.
Ken Albertsen
The quiet sex
How come there are so few women Postbag contributors? I have a selfish interest here. Women tend to be more pro-animal rights and anti-war than men and I would love to have their support when I promote civilised causes.
On the other hand, if as a result of this letter Sarah Palin becomes a regular Postbag contributor, I’ll probably have to leave Thailand for my own personal safety.
Eric Bahrt
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