BangkokPost-May 17
With Bangkok’s governor election just around the corner, most candidates have highlighted several issues in their campaigns. Yet one topic remains mostly unaddressed — the homeless. Adchara Saravari, secretary-general of the Issarachon Foundation, has worked on the issue for more than 20 years. She urges governor candidates to endorse policies giving homeless people access to their rights and welfare. Speaking to the Bangkok Post, she said the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the homeless problem. Many people have become unemployed and cannot pay their rent. The situation has forced more people onto the streets. “Arresting homeless people is not a solution. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration [BMA] should have a policy to let homeless people gain access to welfare benefits. Yet most homeless are not aware of the rights they have because they do not have access to information,” she said. According to the Issarachon Foundation, Bangkok has 4,500 homeless people, of whom 2,623 are women and 1,855 are men. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, who is running in the governor election as a candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), viewed homelessness as an elephant in the room. “Some homeless people might not have a right to vote because they do not have ID cards, but it is undeniable that they are also citizens the BMA needs to take care of,” said Mr Wiroj. Read more at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2311158/succour-for-the-homeless
