House of Dignity Issue

Friends Without Borders Magazine No. 17 Vol. 3 HOUSE OF DIGNITY November - December 2006

Published by Friends Without Borders, a Thai non-governmental organization,
established in 1999 to promote all human rights for all.

m a g a z i n e ¹ÔμÂÊÒÃà¾×èÍÊ‹§àÊÃÔÁ¤ÇÒÁࢌÒã¨ã¹ÊÔ·¸ÔÁ¹Øɪ¹äÃŒ¾ÃÁá´¹
ÃÒÂÊͧà´×͹ ©ººÑ ·Õè 17 »Õ·èÕ 3 ¾ÄɨԡÒ¹-¸Ñ¹ÇÒ¤Á 2549
©∫—∫∫å“π·Àãß»—°¥‘Ï»√’

House of Dignity

FRIENDS

WITHOUT

BORDERS

magazine

¹ÔμÂÊÒÃà¾×èÍÊ‹§àÊÃÔÁ¤ÇÒÁࢌÒã¨ã¹ÊÔ·¸ÔÁ¹Øɪ¹äÃŒ¾ÃÁá´¹
ÃÒÂÊͧà´×͹ ©ººÑ ·èÕ 17 »·Õ èÕ 3 ¾ÄȨԡÒ¹ - ¸¹Ñ ÇÒ¤Á 2549

©ºÑººŒÒ¹áË‹§ÈÑ¡´ÔìÈÃÕ

⌦⌫ ⌫

Friends Without Borders Magazine is published by Friends Without Borders, a

Thai non-governmental organization established in 1999 to promote all human

rights for all.

⌫ ⌫
⌫

E-mail : [email protected]

We are happy to receive comments, suggestions, and articles ⌫
from all of you. Please contact, FRIENDS WITHOUT BORDERS
P.O.Box 180, Chiang Mai University P.O., Chiang Mai 50202 Thailand ⌫⌦⌫
Phone & Fax : 053-336298 E-mail : [email protected]
www.friendswithoutborders.info

Editorial Team ⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫
Pim Koetsawang
⌫⌫ Supattra Choklarp ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ Wantanee Maneedang
⌫ English Editors ⌫⌫ ⌫
Sabrina Gyorvary
⌫⌫ Venessa Lamb Friends Without Borders is a Thai non-governmental organization working to
⌫ Contributors promote all human rights for all and the network between the Thais and the
Phatteka Ratta, Shine Shan, displaced people from Burma in Thailand. With a small team and big groups of
Ekkapob Dust and other friends friends, the work started from a small scale, with a hope to expand to wider and
Art Editor more diverse groups of people in Thai society.
Wantanee Maneedang
Member and Distribution Our main activities are :
Supattra Choklarp Public education/information via various types of media including books,
Printer Wanida Press booklets, magazines, website, exhibition, and audio-visual media.
Human rights education and civil society programs which include
workshops, training, and exchange forums with local communities along
the borders,
Capacity building and consultancy for local groups on media production.

·Ñ¡·ÒÂ

⌫ ⌫ [email protected]
⌫⌦
⌫ During the last two months our home has had such startling changes
that many, including me, have jumped in surprise. However, as the
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ clock's hands went on for a while, I realized that change isn't a new
⌦ ⌫⌫ phenomenon and that, actually, this phenomenon can't be called
⌫⌫ ⌫ 'change' yet.
⌫ ⌫
⌦⌫ My home may look different from the homes of my friends along the
⌫ ⌫ border. Nevertheless, our feelings towards our homes are probably
⌦⌫ not so different right now.
⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫
Our riends in refugee camps have their houses on land that they
⌦ ⌦⌦ ⌫ have no legally way to secure. These giant villages are fenced by
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ barbed-wire about which the inhabitants have no say. To invite an
⌫⌫ outsider for a visit or to spend a night is usually not allowed.
⌦ ⌫ ⌦ Therefore, despite no fear of persecution, the feeling of not able to
⌫ control what's going on in your own house makes feelings of
insecurity come to life.
⌫ ⌫⌫
I used to wish for many changes in my house. But with my limited
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ capacity, I knew I needed quite some time to deal with all the
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ unstable poles, disordered furniture, and all that trash. Thus, when I
woke up one morning and found construction workers had messed
⌦⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦ around with our new balcony, our repaired roof and both the wanted
⌫ ⌫⌫ and unwanted things in the trashcan, I was stunned. I couldn't
stand, I felt as if someone just hit my head hard. I even felt
⌦⌫ ⌫⌫ confused about my ownership status.
⌫
Friends Without Borders Magazine would like to present the 'House
⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫ of Dignity' Issue. At this time eviction has become a crisis in both
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ developing and developed countries, and happens even more in
⌫ those so-called 'peaceful' states than those with armed-conflict. We
⌦ ⌫ ⌫ believe that the right to adequate housing is a fundamental human
⌫ ⌫ right, and that a 'house' is not only a shelter protecting us from rain
⌦ or sun, but provides security and dignity. Freedom to have a house
and to manage one's own house could be the first step for obtaining
all other freedoms of the day.

Looking back at my friends at the border, actually no matter what
others would say to them, deep inside their hearts they still feel the
sense of ownership of their houses. Despite such similar materials
used, each bamboo hut is designed and decorated differently. To
invite a friend for visit or have them stay over night is a disclosure
and affirmation of the owner's identity.

And although their lives are under restrictions by others, the refugees
still try to choose their own destiny by organizing themselves,
participating in community activities, and electing their own leaders.
To decide one's own future is the power that can counterbalance the
feeling of insecurity.

Thus, I think I do not have much more time to sit hopelessly or feel
sorry about the change or the lack of change. Also, I do not think I
can continue living just like a guest, because deep down inside, I
believe I am the owner of this house,

Just the same as all of you.

With Faith in Human Dignity
Pim Koetsawang

⌫

[email protected] Photo : Areerat

â´Â ©Ò©ҹ l Shine Shan

⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦
⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫

⌫⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫

⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌦
⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ Wish to Return
⌫ ⌫ ⌫
Will do everything - in every way, to make you feel warm - with me,
⌫⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫⌫ But we only met. Only our eyes met and I knew for sure what it would be.
⌫ ⌫⌫
A short while after we met, I let Sa Hye listen to this song on the MP3 player that
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌫ I brought with me to Mae La Oon. The young guy could pick it up and interpret it
⌫ ⌦⌦ ⌫ ⌫ into guitar chords right then. So that evening we sang this song together. It was
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ like a farewell between him and me. Even now, although we have been
⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫ separated, following different paths, whenever I hear this song, the scene of the
⌫⌫ ⌫ gathering in the bamboo hut, and the faces, the eyes and the smiles appear
⌦ ⌦⌫ clearly in my mind.

⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫ Apart from Sa Hye's family, I talked with other refugee families that were about to
leave the camp for a new life in their 'third country'. Their stories in the homeland
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ and here in the refugee camp are so varied. Now they've chosen a new path,
⌫ ⌫ with a hope for a new and peaceful life - a life without fear, worries, and endless
displacement. All have beautiful pictures of the new homes in their minds.
⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ Actually, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees believes that the best
⌫ solution for refugees is a safe repatriation when persecution and war ends. But if
⌦⌫ ⌦ not possible yet, allowing refugees permanent settlement and social integration in
⌫⌦ ⌫ the receiving country is the second best. Only when the receiving country doesn't
open that door is resettlement to a third country an option. This applies to the
case of the Karen refugees from Burma in Thailand.

Many refugees told me that they actually wished to return home, but they couldn't
see how peace and democracy could be possible in Burma. They used to hope,
but they are tired of disappointment. Although to start a new life in an unfamiliar
country is not easy, they'd love to have a peaceful home and freedom once
again.

Most refugees were farmers from small highland communities. Life was simple.
The outside world was so far away. Many had never been out of the village, while
a few only went on foot and by boat to the nearby, bigger villages to buy salt, fish
paste and other necessities. Even after taking refuge in Thailand, a large number
of people have never been outside the camp. It is not that easy to integrate into
the new society like those of the US, Canada, Australia, Norway or Sweden.

Sa Hye's parents are not different. They wished to see their children obtain a
high education, proper career, and have a bright future. Despite being afraid that
they're too old to learn English- the first difficult step of the new life, they want to
try. Some have placed their hopes on the state's and humanitarian support in the
third country without knowing the limitations of said support. Lack of good com-
munication from related agencies allows rumors to play a big role in the refugees'
decision. However, those who had an idea of how difficult it will be are still
determined to take a risk, as the current situation doesn't give them much hope.
Anyone who is used to reacting with tears when being asked whether they have
had cruel experience would understand their decision.

I did not stay in Mae La Oon Camp for long, but long enough to make the camp
feel like home - a place where I could sleep comfortably and wake up happily to
greet the fresh fog that covered the whole valley. It's where I enjoyed the food
shared from these aunties' kitchen, and enjoyed simple conversations with the
neighbors and any new faces. But I deeply knew that my real home was where I
had left from - it's the place where people would always be happy whenever I
returned.

I loved to think that Mae La Oon is another home of mind. But if I have a chance
to return there, Sa Hye and many others who make me feel at home will not be
there any longer. I don't know how their lives will be, yet I wish them a nice
home, In the same way, for the refugees who are still here, I wish that the
situation will improve so that they can feel like Thailand is a home. I also hope
that, on the day they leave for the next long journey, they would feel there is
another place in the world that their return will always be welcomed.

Though you may have another, only your look back here would make me happy.
Though you may have another, and despite whatever, you're in my mind forever.

I listened to this song while the boat left Mae La Oon. Sa Hey and a number of
refugees would also leave here by a boat that runs along the Salween river. My
little boat confronted the strong current and went right ahead, leaving the scene of
the bamboo huts and Mae La Oon valley in the back. Clouds covered the top of
the mountain. The sunlight turned the river into gold. I thought of the time I had
with Sa Hye and other friends. Our attachment has grown in a short time; so
strong.

I do not wish everything to finish here - we are only apart.

6

·ÑèÇ·ÇÕ»

[email protected]

â´Â àÍ¡À¾ ´ÊÑ μ l Eakkaphob Dust

http://biblicalfoundation.tripod.com http://static.flickr.com

⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ Homeless Nation
⌫⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫ Canada is a large country with a beautiful landscape and an extremely
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ cold winter. Many may know this place as one of the richest countries
⌦ where people of various ethnic and cultural identities are living together
⌫ ⌫ peacefully. However, what is hidden are the homeless in almost every
⌫ ⌫ town - those who are facing the painful cold at this very moment.
⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌫ The reasons that a Canadian citizen becomes homeless are varied.
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ While rental prices and the cost of real estate have significantly increased,
⌫ ⌫ a large number of people are unemployed. Many others, affected by the
⌦ unstable labor market, gain lesser and lesser income so that their home
⌦ ⌦ ⌫ becomes unaffordable. A number of women who decided to walk out from
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ domestic violence also found themselves without a home. Although the
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ situation is different from one area to another, and the homeless movement
is irregular, it is estimated that the number of homeless people in Canada
⌦ ⌫ has risen to 100,000-250,000 - the 2nd highest among the developed
countries.
⌦⌫
⌫ ⌫⌦ A life without a phone number and address is the first step to the stage
of being poor, as one usually needs an address to apply for a job. Without
⌫ a job, one has no money and cannot obtain references for rental or buying
a house. Without a home, a number of mothers are forced to give away
⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫ their children to social welfare center and as a result, many children lose
⌫ ⌦ their parents forever. In some countries such as the US, the law forbids
⌫ one to stay a night outdoors and the state officer has the authority to arrest
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ the homeless even if the person didn't commit any crime. With the criminal
⌫ record, one has very little opportunity to get a job, and the circle of
⌫ sufferings rolls on.
⌫ ⌫
⌦⌫ ⌫ Although the current Canadian government issued a national
⌫ ⌫⌫ homeless initiative and various measures to deal with the problem,
homelessness is still one of the most serious social problems of the
⌫ country. In Calgary where housing for low income people has long been
inadequate, the number of the homeless increased from 2,500 in the last
year to over 3,400 this year. Twenty-two percent of them are women. The
proportion of the aboriginal homeless is considerably high, comparing to
the whole aborigine population. Thus, people's networks in Calgary,
Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto, and others are demanding the government
deal with the problem more seriously and in an urgent manner. Temporary
shelter or cheap housing projects are not adequate. There is a need for a
better welfare scheme for the unemployed, low-income families, single
mothers, and indigenous and African-Canadian families.

The key to for the homeless to leave this cycle is in the cooperation
and understanding of local communities. Both state and non-state
agencies that worked cooperatively on the issue found that most of the
homeless were suffering from the feeling of being outcast, marginalized
and isolated from society. There is a need for recognition of the problem
and understanding that homelessness could happen to anyone regardless
of race, ethnicity, sex, age or religion.

Winter is coming. The night starts to get colder and colder. Many
Canadians who sleep well in nice and warm houses are obviously sharing
their concerns about those who are torturing by the cold. There is no need
to wait for another person to die of coldness - in a night and on a street - to
realize that we need to do something about it.

For more information, please see: http://homelessness.gc.ca

⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌫

7

ªÑèÇ¢³Ð¹ÔÃѹ´Ã

[email protected]

â´Â ÀÑ·à·¡Ð ÃÑμμÒ l Phatteka Ratta

⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫

⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌦⌦
⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌦
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫

⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌫⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦

⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌦

8

⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌦⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌦⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌦
⌫
⌫

⌦⌫

Memories of Sanrizuka

The huge glass lets the sunlight in onto the polished marble floor and rows of empty seats. Outside, a
number of colorful aircraft tails are pointed up to the early-autumn blue sky. The planes look dead, devoid of
the soul when they fly. The empty space made me feel that time had stopped. What had replaced the
events of the present was imagination. I imagined the 21st day of May, 1978, when the first airliner via
Frankfurt touched down on Narita Airport, and the day after, when DC8 of a Japanese airliner took off from
it for the first time for Guam. The names of Frankfurt and Guam may provoke fantasy about faraway places,
yet, they were certainly quite nearer to the policy-makers and proprietors of the Japanese and world
economy, than the people of Narita.

Sanrizuka is the name of the district where the government, in 1966, decided to build Narita Airport amid
opposing voices from people in the area and from all over Japan. The disagreement inflated into one of the
most violent clashes in Japan since the Second World War, usually known as 'Sanrizuka Struggle'. In one
moment of the struggle, 'Shibokusa Mother's Group', a group of housewives from the northern area of
Mount Fuji came to support the protestors. At one time, they tried to fight to get their land back from the US
and Japanese military. They picked up handfuls of earth crying, 'Don't, under any circumstances, hand over
this beautiful velvety earth to the authorities'. Like state development projects all over the world, the Narita
project created confrontation among the rural communities. The villagers were divided into those who
agreed, opposed, and the neutralists who finally had to move out. The conflict involved more than one
thousand people, and many thousand policemen who used violent means for the crackdown, which resulted
in many deaths for both groups. The struggle went on for more than a decade before the airport was
officially opened in 1978.

I tried the organic salted rakkyo from Toho village. It tasted a little bit like pickled shallot but some slightly
stinging flavor was left dancing on my tongue. Looking outside, there were also rice fields, vegetable farms,
and a community center where organic products were collected and neatly packaged before being directly
sent to consumers. No middleman. In a moment, I felt like I was in a remote rural village of Japan, but
before long, the next aircraft was flying only 40 meters above me, before landing in the runway just across
the fence. Toho village was situated right in the middle of the second runway of Narita Airport, where it had
been expanded to support the World Cup in 2002. This expansion was done despite the government's
promise in 1991 to consult with villagers before any future plans for construction.

Exactly 40 years has passed, but many have still strongly, courageously resisted to face reality. If they
wanted to continue to fight, they needed to have a job and income, but certainly not on the corporatist path.
Many were just university or high school students in the 70s before they made a lifelong decision to become
farmers. Many youth in their mid-20s had joined to carry out their beliefs into the next generation.

For a second, I thought of the business areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya. The image of Japan that I had
gotten used to contrasted strongly with what I saw in front of me; although both can be said to belong to
one same space and time: 'Tokyo in the 21st Century'. This was like all the many concepts and
assumptions that overlooked delicate realities - the sensitivity that let me know that 'Narita' was not merely
an airport town, but also held the memories of Sanrizuka.

⌫ ⌦⌫ 9
⌫
⌫ à¨ÃÒÍ×è ¡§¢àÅ͋Һᴹ
⌫
â´Â ª¹Ò ´Óà¹¹Ô l Chana Damnoen

⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫

⌫

⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌦⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫
⌦⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌦⌦ ⌦ ⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫⌦
⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌦
⌫
⌫

⌫⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌦⌫

⌫⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌦ ⌦ ⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌦⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦⌫
⌦⌦
⌫ ⌫⌦
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦
⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌦⌫

⌦ ⌦⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌦
⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫
⌦ ⌦

⌦

⌫ ⌦⌫
⌫ ⌫⌦
⌫⌦ ⌫⌫
⌦
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫

⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦⌫
⌫ ⌦ ⌦ ⌫⌦
⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫

Different Houses but not Separate Lives.

The sand was soaked with salt water. The desolate sea was still. Yet the ocean younger children so that they smile. I joined a puppet theatre group of Duang
breeze was wild, different from the familiar mountain wind that usually greeted us softly Prateep Foundation. The first time we performed for the tsunami affected
and kindly. Back there, on the opposite side, was a three-storey building fancily children, I didn't know what to do but I just realized that it was the first time my
designed into levels and steps that led to a luxurious turquoise blue swimming pool and fear of the sea had gone."
the neatly decorated garden.
In the luxurious hotel's meeting room, Nung's brain was working hard to
The sea odor and the shivering chill of air-conditioning was an unfamiliar absorb and learn new lessons regarding disaster risk reduction. The puppet
atmosphere. It's amazingly strange but lonely. show to soothe the pains of the young hearts was not the final answer. She
moved forward to encourage children's participation in risk reduction - no
But then a sun-burnt skin girl with melodiously laugh came and made the sky mater what kind of risk it is.
reflect the indigo light as the same as the sky at home.
"As a kid, I used to join the village meeting. The adults said, hey! You're
"I used to be scared of the sea," Nung said. just a kid. But I asked back whether I was one of the community member, so
That was right after the great losses two years ago, when the giant wave wiped all they let me stay," she smiled. "So now I'm happy to encourage the younger
those of her small world away. She was only 17 then. children to participate in community affairs and to respond to any kind of
"Before that my family had been doing fine. I was studying. Then everything had problems in their own ways."
to start from zero. I had to quit school to get a job. My dad's fishing equipment - over
200,000 baht - was gone. Our car, house and everything in the house was gone. I The cruelty of civil war in Burma attacked Kyaw Mu's life several times.
deplored nothing but my house. I saw it with my own eyes - it just disappeared with the Although he never experienced such great losses of hundreds of thousands of
water and sand. I felt painful that we could do nothing to save it." people in such a blink like the tsunami affected people, the endlessly attacks
That morning her friend called her to take a look at the strange phenomenon - the left the wound of insecurity in the kid's heart.
sea dried out leaving the vast beach empty. However, Nung's mother insisted on her
helping finish wash the clothes and her family then was able to escape. "But then the villagers said they'd go back to build new houses and a
.. Only lives left then.., Nung said. new school again. I was very glad. At first we had to study under the trees
and write on bamboo stalks but when the school was finished, I could write on
Nung brought Kyaw Mu's picture to our mind. the desk again. My school is near Moei river. It's the most beautiful school.
Kyaw Mu is a boy while Nung is a girl. Kyaw Mu speaks Karen while Nung speak We still lived in fear of the Burma's army but they haven't arrived recently. I'd
Southern Thai. Kyaw Mu lives in Karen state of Burma, far away from Ban Nam Khem, like to continue to high school and then I'd like to be a teacher or a singer. I
Pang-Nga where Nung lives. But it seems like they can be brother and sister. don't want to go away from here again," he wrote.
"I am 15 years old. I have 5 siblings. My dad passed away since I was only 2 and
since then my mom has been taking care of all of us. I remembered I really wanted to Kyaw Mu gave us such a big smile that could brighten the world. The
study but I didn't have a chance. We grew rice but we didn't have rice to eat. The boy looked smaller than his age. He laughs a lot - as much as he cries. He's
Burma's army took all. We had to eat roots and banana stalks for survival. I watched shy as much as brave. Sometimes he stays behind a pole and peeps at the
over cattle to earn some money - kept watching them like crazy while those flies bit me. world curiously, but sometimes he's up on a stage, singing for adults and kids
Then one day my mom said that we couldn't continue like this; we'd starve to death. who sit watching him. His little brain was working hard to understand the way
So we fled from Burma's army area to the border close to Thailand," wrote Kyaw Mu in for him and his community to stand their own feet.
his school essay.
"At first we had to stay in another person's house until my mom was able to cut "I'm not good at studying. I'm lazy and misbehaved sometimes." He
enough bamboos and build our own hut. Then the school was opened. I was very once said. "But I want to study and I'd like other kids to study too. I think we
happy. I thought that I would try to be a good student, but only two weeks after that, have to try our best for our homes and country."
one night just before dawn, the head villagers told us to prepare to flee. After the sun
had risen, the Burma's army arrived. We all fled across the river to Thai side. I looked Nung and a number of friends her age believe they can build their new
back at the Karen Land. I saw my house burnt into ashes. I cried. I told my mom to homes and take care of one another, no matter what tomorrow will bring. The
take me back. But then we continued to be in exile until the Thai soldiers told us to go losses of lands, houses and their loved ones have been transformed into
back. The Burmese soldiers had gone, they said. So we went back and I started my strength and inspiration for the youth.
schooling again;but not for long. The Burma army came back and burnt the whole
village and we had to flee to Thailand for another time. At the time I felt hopeless. It is the same as the belief of Kyaw Mu and his friends in the internally
There's nowhere to go and nothing left." displaced children's school that they are able to build new homes and look
.. There is nothing left except my sisters, my mom and I… after one another, although some refugees have gradually walked forward to
new hopes and new homes in far-away countries. The houses that were burnt
In a blink, the ocean got furious, and Nung's whole world changed. Many friends' over and over again, the endless violence - these things cannot steal their hope
bodies are unfound until now. Another one of her younger friends has lost all 17 for a peaceful life. This hope that has been transferred from one generation to
members of her family. Schools and communities nearby were gone. One of her friends another.
found an old guitar sunk under the wreck, and music was played to comfort the sad
hearts. The ocean and luxurious building then became as familiar as a home, as
the same as the cool mountain, Su-Mae-Gro (Moei river) and the bamboo
"Many had nothing left, but my parents were still alive with me. Many aid agencies huts. The wild ocean wind bid a cheerful farewell as if to ensure we will meet
came in, and then we were able to build a new house. Then I'd like to do something for again.
other people. Maybe I'm still young and very stressed, but I should be able to help
Nung wished to see her friends' homes at far-away border areas. And if
he knows about her, Kyaw Mu may wish to visit his sister's home at the beach
for once.

¤Ó¹Ñé¹

Åͧ ¿ÒÁ μÃ¹Ñ μÒ§ l Long Pham Tran Thang

Photo: Areerat

Photo: Dan

ÊÒ½¹ ÊÒ¹éÓ ÊÒ¹éÓμÒ

The rain, the river, and the tears

A window has been blurred with an unceasing rain
That is listening to so much piled-up sadness…

deep in the heart of a young girl.
She sits there, and silently looks at the curtain of rain,
A white-dimmed drape is inundating her vision.
How many times must she hide together with the rain,

she doesn't remember all;
But unforgettable, her memory lives on in a voice choked with sobs,
It does not return her sister nor her ancestor's land

that she also lost in a rainy night,
She has only one simple thing, she lives with the river.
The river has been still lying, under a dull rain;
It silently flows in common with the deep pangs of parting.
Because of its robbed partial bodies, from uncontrolled ambitions;
For the time being all are just in memory, she will never get them back!
But the sun will come back with the river,
And brings those who think about Mother river's giving

birth and a settled position to.
The river still currents, but full of sinewy vitality;
Just remain a sparkle from the girl's soul,

with the river bathed
in radiant sunlight.

Photo: Dan

⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫

⌫⌫

⌫⌫

⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌦ ⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫
⌦ ⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌦
⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌦

⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌦
⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫ "We were from different towns, different types of villages and we had different style of
⌦ ⌫⌫ houses then. But here we are almost the same. Anyway, no matter what our old homes
⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌦ looked like, if there's no war, oppression and fear in our country, people will definitely be
⌫ happier in their homeland. No matter how poor people were, they just made a roof and a
⌫ few bamboo thatches with their own hands and that would be fine. To wake up before
dawn and head to the fields in such early morning are physically tired but not
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ psychologically exhausted like we are now. It's about freedom, I guess. In our country, we
could build a house from woods, tiles, tins, or bamboo - whatever up to our capacity, and
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ we could build it anywhere we found it suitable. But here in a refugee camp, if the authority
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ allowed only a house with nine poles, then it must be no more than nine. If the rule is that
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ the roof must not use more than 300 leaves thatches, then it must be 300. When the kids
⌫ ⌫ have grown up, the house became too small but there's nothing we can do. Anyway, you
⌦⌫ ⌦ see, our country is not yet peaceful, so I have to say that living in a refugee camp is better
⌦ than in my own home. (laughs)
⌦⌦
"In the beginning, there is no clear rule. One family came and then another. One built a
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ house and then another did the same. Those who built a house first got better locations
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ and bigger spaces. But as more and more arrived here, the flatland disappeared. The
Ministry of Interior then had a restriction that a house must not be bigger than 21 x 18
⌫⌫ ⌫ square feet. The new arrivals would be told where to stay - any space available, either it is
⌫⌫ a hillside, a stream, a cliff, a rock; if they said we had to stay then we just had to. "Then the
⌫ ⌫⌦ problem occurred. Actually the streams run naturally, right? In some years there were
⌫⌫ ⌫ floods and in some years none. This is natural. But refugees have no choice where to
⌦⌫⌫ build a house, right? So when people had to build a house on the water running path and
⌫⌫ ⌫ that year came the heavy rains, the house and lives would be flooded away. If KRC knows
⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ there may be soil erosion or sees the cliff rock starts cracking, we have to try to relocate
people. Yet it can't be so far off because the camp is limited to be here, in this location, so
⌫⌫ it must be here.
⌦⌫
"We've got house construction materials from humanitarian agencies, but their capacity is
⌫⌫ also limited because the population is big. If it's not enough, you have to find it yourself. If
the neighbors have extra, you may borrow some materials and repay the next year. Some
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦ people sneak out of the camp to cut more bamboo though, because they haven't gotten
enough poles to build a kitchen, a toilet, etc. It has to be noted that refugees cannot earn
It has been four years since I first met Th'ra Bway Say. At the time I had no idea income in the camp. They also have to find themselves extra food although they have got
about refugees ; Th'ra was the first person - a kind uncle who opened the door so free rice, salt, fish paste, flour and cooking oil. To add a good test to the curry, there should
that I came to befriend many refugees in the refugee camps since that time. be some vegetables or even MSG, right? (laughs) Considering hygiene, we need
toothpaste, soap, detergent, etc. and one has to get money to buy all these.
Time has passed. I've grown up, finished university, and had a job far away from
home, while Th'ra is still here with the Karen Refugee Committee (KRC). One "Oh! Lots of problems in refugee camps! People are from different communities of origin,
afternoon, we had a chance to meet again and talk about our homes. Mine is far different culture, values and ways of life, and then they have to live together in a crowed
away on the mountain - and no matter how big or small or changed, my heart felt place. Conflict is common. There is also conflict regarding housing. As I said, those who
warm every time I thought of it. I wanted to know how Th'ra felt about his home in arrived before got a bigger home. And then sometimes the new arrivals were told to build a
Burma that he had left for so long, and his current one in Thailand. house on that plot, and the owners may not be happy but they couldn't say anything
because if MOI said the new arrival must be there, they must. KRC cannot give everyone
"I've been a refugee for 30 years… 30 years! (laughs) I've lived in the camp, eaten in the satisfaction due to this limitation. Most likely, there is not adequate communication, either. I
camp, and my kids have grown up in the camp. It has been since 1975 that we had to flee think the best way [to approach this issue] is to encourage more community organizing. I
across the border. That refugee community became part of the Mae Khong Kha camp in think of a consultation program; visiting houses and talking to them about how they think
Mae Hong Son, that has been moved to Mae La Oon only a few years ago. and feel, how happy and how difficult life is, and what we can do together. If people can get
together and do something good for their homes, then they will feel more like the same
"KRC is a refugee representative body that was elected by refugees to take care of all family, conflict can be solved and houses will become real homes.
refugee affairs. At first when we arrived, there was neither representatives nor leaders and it
became confusing for coordination with the Thai authorities and humanitarian agencies. So "Another thing I'm concerned is that, in the camp there are many refugees who are illiterate
KRC was established. Then I felt that I had to do something because I've been living here but have a high level of traditional knowledge, for example, sustainable farming. However,
and so have my kids. Then I was elected as Mae La Oon camp's representative and then they have no way to use the knowledge here. Then there are literate people, mostly youth,
worked in this central office. My task is to coordinate community affairs - administration, deal who cannot do anything either as they are not allowed to work. This is stressful situation,
with all kinds of problems and conflict including education and health. isn't it? It's quite frustrating when I think I see and understand the problem, yet I don't know
what to do about it. If the Thai government doesn't allow us to work, then we can't.

"Now resettlement in the third country is promoted. Many camp residents feel insecure as
people said many will leave, and there will be no one to help one another here. But looking
at the whole picture, I still think that those who wish to leave and those that can leave are
only a small number. (smiles) Personally, I understand that the refugees find life here
insecure; it's not clear which country's citizens we are. As human beings, we usually need
to understand which country we belong to. When people heard that if one has resettled in
the 'third country' for two years or more, the person would be recognized as a citizen, that
meant a secure life with opportunity for education and employment. So people think that if
they continue being here, getting free food but have no chance to make their own living and
no chance to go back home, the third country is their hope. For the good side of it, I think
when one can work - no matter what kind of work it is, one has more self-esteemed.

"For me? I will be here. Most people will still be here and I need to stay with them. There's
a lot I have to do, there's a lot of problem to deal with. I'm also old, you see? (laughs) If the
young people want to go, then let them go. If my children want to go, then I let them go but
I will be here. I still have hopes. Now that our country is not yet peaceful, we must spend
efforts on solving problems in the refugee camps, so that we can live peacefully. But my
highest goal: I'd like to say that I work so that one day we will all go back home, safely and
with dignity. Now I want to be one of the leaders too, you know? (laughs) I will try to get
peace as soon as possible so that we can live in our homeland and express our identity
freely. A home, for me, is a place we can be physically and psychologically comfortable.
When we feel comfortable, we are happy, and our family will be happy. It's just simple like
that.

In a time like this, when I am so far away from home, I have found that Th'ra Bwae
Say is my family. I can turn to him whenever I felt exhausted and confused. His love
for home also makes me feel that this place is where I can always feel warm and
happy.





18

¡ÃдԡËÒ§

ÈÔŻкѹà·Ô§·Õè·ÓãËŒËÑÇ㨢ͧ¤Ø³ÍÔèÁ͌ǹ
â´Â Á‹ÙËÅÒ¹ l Mulan

⌫⌫
⌫

⌦ ⌦
⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫

⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌦⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌦

⌫

⌫⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫

⌫ ⌫⌫

⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫ 19
⌫ ⌦
⌫ ⌦⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌦
⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫
⌫⌦

⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌦⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫
⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌦ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌦ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫

The Host (Gwoemul) (2006) The House of Sand and Fog (2003)

⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫
⌫

For me, my home and people, plants and whatever in the house is my life!
If some days someone takes away my home or displaces me,
a dog like me will definitely be heartbroken - into pieces

If it were you, what would you do if in one morning, your house was but it was too late as your house had already been sold. Then you started to
simply confiscated? understand that there's no way the buyer would sell it back to the state in the
same price, as he had improved the house with a plan to sell it in a high
You're a woman who'd been struggling to recover from the wounds market price.
of drugs and ruined family life. You didn't pay attention to nonsense
letters from the tax bureau that claimed you owed them commercial tax, If it were you, would you be angry?
because you'd never owned any business in your life. But then one But I think the important question is, with whom or with what will you be
day, they came to evict you and took your house that was inherited from angry?
your dad to sell for an unbelievably cheap price.

You became a broken-winged bird, wandering around from here to
there. The legal aid lawyer was able to make the state accept its mistake

20

And if it were you, what would you do if one day you had to take your wife and kids fleeing from your house
and your homeland, just because you had different opinion from that of the powerful.

As a high-ranking military officer, you used to live a luxurious life, but in the new country, even after you've
gained citizenship, you are a construction and unskilled worker who are called and treated without respect. Very
few care to even call your name correctly.

You tried to maintain your identity and status within the house you stayed, spent almost all saving for your
daughter's marriage, and tried to make an honest living by buying a cheap old house to improve for sale. You hope
the profits would allow your son to join university. You dream that one day you'll find your wife a nice house as she
used to have.

But then one day, you were told to quit the whole plan and leave the whole dream because that house you
bought had been unfairly confiscated, or in other words, it was a mistake of the state. You were threatened by a
state officer that if you wouldn't agree, he could use his influence in immigration department to deport your family -
to danger.

If it were you, would you be angry?
But I think the important question is, with whom or with what will you be angry?

The House of Sand and Fog is a story about the fight between two people - Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) who believed she was
the owner of the house and the country but was unfairly evicted, and Colonel Behrani (Ben Kingsley) an Iranian refugee who
believed that as human, his family had the right to begin a new life with a home and a country as well.

Actually I think it could've been better if the state officer was not involved like this. The thing is, the unhappy married deputy
sheriff (Ron Eldard) happened to have a crash with Kathy and thus, he emotionally wanted to be her savior. And looking at the
person who stole the house from his girlfriend? The guy was just a refugee to whom he could give any kind of threats! His
involvement made the broken-winged Kathy confused and Behrani outraged. Before each realized that the fierce fight was for
nothing - as each are humans and the root cause was actually the distorted social structure, the story ended in tragedy. No
one wins and all lose.

Vadim Perelan, the first time director is a Russian immigrant in the US. He made me turn my ears left and right - don't know
who's side to take ! Each character including 'the house' was amazingly alive by the stunning performance and
cinematography. I just searched for this DVD after coming back from seeing a Korean movie 'The Host' a few days ago. When
there's a problem, ordinary people like us are usually set against each other like this, isn't it? And the more the 'difference'
can be drawn, the hotter the fight became - fight to win without seeing the other as the human. Anyway, Bong Joon-ho, the
Korean director who has been actively participated in people's movement portrayed the 'enemy' in the Host as a 'monster'
instead!

This strange creature was mutated from a tadpole in Han River that was Bong Joon-ho made this movie from the actual event in 2000 that the US.
polluted by Chemicals from the US. Army base. When the monster jumped out Military facility disposed of formaldehyde in the Han river. I had quite a few
to eat many people, killing even a brave American soldier who resisted, and Korean friends and they usually made a kind of face when talking about the
caught a few people including the daughter of the Park family as its food stock, influence of the US over every Korean government. I can't imagine what it'll be
the grandfather, father, uncle and aunt of the Park family had to come out like if there's a foreign army base in my home here as the same as there in
hunting for it to save the girl on their own. Korea.

The Park family was no one powerful or rich. They are only ordinary people Nowadays, many poor people with dark skin, heaps of sweat, in old, dirty and
who had fight on their own because their government didn't seem to care. torn clothes, who communicate in a different language from ours may walk
Moreover, the Korean government even followed the 'US army game'. News around our homes. But believe me! The real monster is inside our house. It
was spread that anyone who had contacts with the monster would become a has mutated from the distorted structure inside and outside it. And we can't
monstrous virus 'host'. This meant those who resisted against the monster just leave it like that.
were portrayed a 'monster' instead of a hero. They were detained as
prisoners. Or, how about you try acting like the father in the movie. He finally stopped
dyeing his hair yellow and shoved the TV button off when hearing the
The struggle of this family resulted in the loss of the grandfather's generation, 'nonsense' about the 'monster',
but it could wake the father's generation who were lazy shopkeepers,
unemployed intellectual and a low-self-esteem female athlete. Even the young But with his ears and eyes open to any danger.
girl who was the prey also didn't act as a helpless victim - she bravely
protected the younger one and tried her best instead of solely waiting for help. Let's look around to see if there's a monster around you - in TV, newspaper,
under the table, etc. . .
My tail wagged for many sarcastic scenes - when the father escaped from the
detention and opened the door to find American soldiers enjoying a barbeque I'm off to sniff for it too!
party, and when the Park family found the way to bring down the monster by
ancient bows and handmade bottle-bombs - similar ones to what the uncle You have my tail!
used in demonstration against the Korean dictators in his university days. Mulan.

The House of Sand and Fog (2003) The Host (Gwoemul) (2006)
Director: Vadim Perelman Director: Bong Joon-ho
From a book written by Andre Dubus III Screenplay: Baek Chul-Hyun, Bong Joon-ho, Ha Won-jun/
Screenplay : Vadim Perelman and Shawn Lawrence Otto/ Cinematography:Kim Hyung-ku/ Music: Lee Byung-woo/
Cinematography: Roger Deakins / Music: James Horner / Editing: Kim Seon Min
Editing : Lisa Zeno Churgin Casts: Song Kang-ho, Byeon Hie-bong, Park Hae-il,
Casts : Jennifer Connelly, Ben Kingsley, Ron Eldard, Bae Du-na, Ko Ah-sung
Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jonathan Ahdout

21

à¤ÒлÃÐμÙ¤ÃÑÇ

[email protected]

â´Â ¹éÓÊŒÁÊÒª٠l Namsom Saichu

⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌦⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫
⌫
⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫

⌫ ⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫
⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫ ⌦ ⌦ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌦⌦
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦
⌫ ⌫⌦
⌫ ⌦⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌫

Mae Maeh's Lam Bon Ingredients
Young Bon leaves, boiled pork skin, bamboo stalk (choose big ones like those for
Although the path to knock on the Lahu's kitchen door was obstructed by the heavy Khao Lam), Tamarind juice, spring onions and parsley, shallots, garlic, dried chili,
rain that ruined the road, the crisis changed into opportunity as I then had a chance to lemon grass, salt, shrimp paste, and banana leaves,
spend a night in another small village at the foot of the mountain. Being inhabited by Fresh leaves, sticky rice, and fried pork skin for eating with chili dip
northern Thais and other ethnic groups, Mae Maeh is a peaceful community of cultural
diversity and of equal participation in natural resource management. Instructions
- Wash the Bon leaves and steam them,
I sat watching the 'mother' of this house cooking and talking with the 'father'. This - Pound shallots, garlic, chili, lemongrass, salt and shrimp paste
open space kitchen allowed us to have a good, long conversation. 'Lam Bon' cooking
needs space for a small campfire in order to grill the bamboo stalk that is stuffed with well together
the ingredients. The nice smell from the grill was very good for my appetite. The scene - Add the steamed leaves and tamarind juice, stir well, and add
of a Lam Bon campfire reminded me of the good old days when my grandfather was
alive, cooking for the whole family by the fire like this. It's a gathering -eating and talking the boiled pork skin, stir again,
- of a family in an open kitchen. - Wash the bamboo stalks and stuff them with the prepared

Today my kitchen is a small room in a house, with pots and pans suitable to ingredients. Close the top with banana leaves and grilled well,
different kind of dishes. However, my daily habit is to open a plastic bag, put the food - When it's done, cut the stalk into half. Eat with sticky rice,
on a plastic plate and touch a microwave button. I see now; that's why I'm so confused
with the relationship between 'kitchen and house' most of the time. fried pork skin and fresh vegetables.

Note: It's best to eat the Lam Bon with sticky rice grilled in a bamboo stalk.
Cooking this menu is great for the coming cold season.

áÅÐÍ×è¹ æ 22

[email protected]

â´Â ´Ô ÍÒà¸Íà l The Other

⌫⌫ The Four-Region Slum Network

⌦⌫ ⌦ In the past 50 years, capitalist-type development has been
promoted and expanded to the entire globe. Thus, Thailand
⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ began to adopt National Economic and Social Development Plans
that focused on boosting its economy by promoting industrial and
⌫⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌫ service sectors. This type of development heavily affects urban
⌦⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ sectors, as services and industry are mostly located in towns and
cities. Labor migration from rural to urban areas has caused the
⌫ ⌫ high increase in urban population, especially in Bangkok, while
⌫⌫ the state has not yet prepared for such rapid growth.
⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ The arising problems were inadequately dealt with and
⌦⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌦ unequal opportunity existed with regard to housing, sanitation and
⌫ ⌫⌫ infrastructure. Moreover, during this economic boom, land and
property businesses were popular; land became highly valuable
⌫ ⌫ for profit making rather than for housing. Roads and expressways
⌫ were constructed to serve the purpose. The result is the mass
⌫ ⌦ eviction of the urban poor community everywhere, including those
⌫ that were under the National Housing Department's care.

⌫ The attitude that saw the urban poor as trouble, rather than
⌫ as the affected by the distortion of social structure, pushed the
situation into crisis. The state's effort to improve sanitation and
⌫ the construction of small apartments for the poor could only
⌦ ⌫ ⌫⌫ address the problem in short term. The structural problem was
left untouched and would remain as long as the economically
⌫⌫ ⌫⌦ ⌦ ⌫ powerful still value the poor' s need for housing less than they
⌫ ⌫⌫ value the elite's satisfaction.
⌫
During the past 20 years, many people's movements against
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ unjust eviction have been formed. A few non-governmental
organizations turned to work with the slum dwellers to find ways
⌫⌫ to solve housing problems. And when the 'eviction trend' came
back in 1998, according to 'Sus-tainable Urban Development' in
the 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan, the
networks started to campaign for the type of urban development
with people's participation. A Four-Region Slum Network was
formed by nine small networks including the Community
Development Center, Under-Bridge Community Network,
Southern and Western Railway-side Community Network,
Community Network for Development, Canal-side Network,
Prawes Community Network, Southern Region Slum Network,
Chiang Mai Urban Community Network, and Ubon Ratchathani Slum
Network. The group not only conducted various types of projects
in communities, it also advocated for housing rights. They were
successful in pushing the government to solve some of the
conflicts of evictions, and demanded a national law and a national
committee to solve slum people's problems in long term.

The expansion of city without control, planning and good
mapping, along with allowing the rich Thai and well-off foreigners
to own their 2nd - 3rd - 10th holiday houses while the poor are
evicted and moved to new shelters is not different from an
expansion of a luxurious balcony while trash and dust are hidden
under a carpet. This complicates a sensitive problem; it will not
end easily as long as the decision makers and Thai society are
not able to under-stand that all humans, as the people who
contribute to the country's development and economy, have
dignity and the right to adequate housing.

Note: The article was written based information from
an article by Chum Chon Tai Foundation in www.chumchonthai.or.th For more
information, please contact: [email protected]

“° π √å √ ·¥π

⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌦ ⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫

⌫⌫ ⌫ As a member of the Mekong school, I've had the opportunity to understand the human
⌫ ⌫ rights situation in the Mekong sub-region from friends, and to open my eyes to the lives
⌫ of our friends from Burma through your magazine. I also had the opportunity to live for
⌦ a short time with Karen families along the Salween River. They have a vehement
vitality despite so many threats. It was an unforgettable moment in my life, so I'd like to
I used to be a civil servant, working in the development field with people in the write this poem for them. I strongly believe in your efforts to promote all human rights
North, especially Nan and Mae Hong Son. The chance to coordinate research for all; and wish you all the best. Respectfully yours, T.L, Vietnam.
with other agencies has allowed me to experience the way of life of the
highlanders. At present I'm retired and have come back to live in my ⌫⌫ ⌫⌫
hometown. I'm interested in, love, and understand human rights. I read your ⌦⌫ ⌦⌫
magazine and honestly admire your aims, policies, articles, columns,
illustrations and the artwork. I'd like to subscribe to it and to help distribute it in We've published your poem in this issue's Those Words. We're happy to be a forum
my area. If you have any old issues left, I'd like to get them in order to learn for the passing of love from Vietnamese friends to the people of Burma. We are One.
more. With respect, S.P., Trang

⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫
⌫
⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫⌫

Now I'm working for a bilingual radio program in the South. Sometimes I read your
magazine on the air. Sorry I didn't ask your permission first. My friends here like it very
much. There are over 30 Thai and international NGOs around and next month there'll
be a big conference. I'd be glad to help distribute your magazine. Also, as we've got a
library regularly visited by workers, I'd like to subscribe to the magazine and get some
back issues too. T.M., Pang-Nga.

⌦ ⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫
⌫ ⌫⌫
⌫⌫
⌫⌫ ⌫ ⌫ Thanks for helping us send our message to the audience of your radio program. Of
⌫ ⌦ course, we are very happy that you do so. Apart from your subscription, we'll send a
⌫⌫ few more copies for your library too.
⌫⌫
⌫ ⌫ ⌫ Special thanks to
⌫⌫ the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
⌫⌫
Special support from the Houminer family
Friends Without Borders invites you to share an article or a poem. If you are
interested in sharing stories or opinions relating to human rights, Korean Solidarity Group for 'Friends Without Borders'
marginalized peoples, ethnic nationalities, refugees or migrant workers, www.10USD.net
please send a manuscript that has never been published before under the
theme 'Youth/Young People' (deadline on 31/12/06) and 'Elderly' (deadline WANIDA PRESS
on 1/03/07) to P.O.Box 180, CMU, Chiang Mai 50202, or email to
[email protected]. The manuscript must be in English or Thai
and not longer than 2 ? A4 page (Times 12). The writer's real name,
address, phone number and email must be attached. Please let us know if
you would like your story to be published under a pen name. The editor
reserves the right to edit the select pieces. There will be a small gift and a
little honorarium for the writers whose stories are selected.



burnt house, Pasaung Burma, jan 06
Photo from Free Burma Rangers/TBBC