(22 Apr 1996) Thai/English
The Thai government has admitted its economic boom has widened the gap between rich and poor.
Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa told a UN meeting on Monday that ending poverty and environmental damage should be a top priority for Asia.
Meanwhile thousands of farmers have continued a protest near the Thai government building over land seizures that have left them jobless and homeless.
It's not on any map, but it's there and it has a name - "the village of the poor."
It's a hot, humid settlement of canvas and cloth, right in the political heart of Bangkok and its many residents are mostly from Thailand's northeast.
The villagers are protesting about loss of land, and work, following projects such as dam construction, and eucalyptus plantations.
When protesting is over for the day, and the marchers return, the population swells to at least three thousand, though some estimate up to ten thousand people camp here.
They try to carry on life here as they would back in their own homes cooking their meals and washing their clothes.
Shops have been established to supply cheap essential goods but the living conditions are beginning to take their toll.
Many have been living in these confined quarters with their fellow protestors for almost a month and disease and infection is rife.
A medical team says it's treating up to three hundred people a day.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Usually they have urinary tract infections, and also skin infections. Skin diseases like eczema."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr Cherdchawee Tandechanurat
The authorities are never far away, the village of the poor is right opposite Government House - a constant reminder to ministers that their problems are yet to be solved.
They want compensation for the confiscation of their land and are hoping a special cabinet meeting to discuss their problems will bring concrete proposals. If not, they'll stay put.
SOUNDBITE: (Thai)
"The government says they'll give us an answer. If they can solve our problems we will go home."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Member of Village of the Poor
Thailand, like many parts of Asia has enjoyed strong economic growth - 8.6 per cent last year - but the Prime minister admits the boom has had unforeseen consequences - social and environmental problems that have degraded the quality of life for Thai people.
And although the tiger economies of Asia are still booming the people of 'the village of the poor' have yet to see any of its benefits.
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