Candle festival culture or competition
by Pisitpong "AKE"
With the arrival of the eight lunar month in July, Thai Buddhists all over the kingdom celebrate Khao Phansa, one of the most important event in the religious calendar. Celebrations are held in Buddhist temples all over Thailand, but the most beautiful can be found in Ubon Ratchathani province 'Khao Phansa', in Thai, refers to the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. During this time, Buddhist monks are restricted to their temples for a period of three months. At this time, Buddhists who believe in Buddhism will make some candles and give them for the monks following the belief that if they give monks the candles they will have a bright brain as a candle frame and it is the way to pay respect to the Buddha. In the past, Buddhists in Ubon Ratchathani would collect some small candles and gave to the monks. After the year2520B.E., they make the candle bigger and more beautiful. There is a competition among the temples to find out which temple has the most beautiful candle. At present, the high competition is increasing. All the temples try to be the winner. The abbots of each temple will pay a lot of money to hire the artisans to make the candles although the cost of hiring is very expensive. This year, there were 22 candles in the competition. Wat Nong Bua, one of the temples, sent the candle to the competition. This temple is very well known because the candles from this temple often get the prize. The abbot likes to send the candle to the competition because this makes the temple very famous. "We like to send the candle to the contest because after the celebration people will know our temple,although we have to pay a lot of money to hire the artisans and the cost of making the candle is very expensive but we will earn money from donation from people to restore the temple", said Pra Munee Titatammo, a monk. In the past, Wat Nong Bua was not a famous temple about the candle but after they sent the candles to the contest and got the prize, it became famous and was recommended for tourists to visit. Nowadays, Wat Nong Bua is a rich temple. There are a lot of houses for monks with lots of cars and facilities. "I think that it is very good to send the candle to the competition because this thing can help us to keep the tradition and culture otherwise, we will get a lot of money to build new building and for general expenses in the temple", said Pra Promma Kunnachaiyo, a monk. The earning might be the important reason why some temple wants to get the prize. As we can see that the temple getting the prize will be famous and rich in the future. It makes us realize that nowadays making the candle is not to promote or to keep on the tradition, culture any longer. It tends to be a competition to get the prize and some advantages after the celebration. Getting the prize can make people know that temple and it changes a poor temple becoming a rich one. It must be a competition if every temple wants to get the prize and only think about the gain. However, the candle festival and the celebration will be continued. It is up to persons who wants to make the candle that they want to make it a competition or keeping a Thailand culture.
Traffic Police Corrution: Is it a time to change
by Nalinee Chaimuangkoon
Corruption has been the serious problem in Thailand for many years. It has been widespread, deeply rooted, well organized and tolerated. Increasingly, we are seeing gangs of police lurking behind corners and bends in the city's roads ready to pull over and fine motorcyclists for small offens. Are they making law abiding citizens out of us or using their influence to extort money. While there is little done about such thing as dangerous, reckless or careless driving the local law enforcement officers are cautious sometimes about little things like lane discipline, parking, seat belts and crash helmets. There is a reason. "The police policy is to stop poor people. I am student of UbonRatchathani University and my friends get stoped all of the time. We pay fine, not much for working people, but much for students. I don't see police stopping farang because they don't want to speak English. I don't see police stoppeing cars because it might be someone with good connection and I don't see police stopping other police who don't wear helmet. They stop old pickups and motorbikes. It is not a nice at all. We have money every month we keep for when we get stopped it happens all time." said Karnjana Poolwej, the forth year student of LIberal Arts Faculty UbonRatchathani University. While lacking of hardware makes chasing fast-moving offenders a non-starter, statinary or slow moving vehicle at road intersections are aiferent matter. There is another thing too. Thai police reportedly recieve a commission for each ticket they issue. UnonRatchathani phenomenon is seemingly random appearance of groups ofpolice at stategic sites. There is little about it that is random. Check the calendar and you'll find incrased activity just before holidays,long weekends,festivals and pay-days. "We can say that in every sector of the authority in Thailand have a corruption problem include police authority, too. In UbonRatchathani, we have a limit amount of policeman so we can not look after their behavior and also corruption can occur all the time. We do not know who are corrupt. They might go out on their duty and then they make money from their duty by keep money from people who breake the law themselves. We can not know that but if we know we will put him on another section. One of the heads of the policeman at Warinchamrap police station said. May be it is about Thai traditional or Thai value system in which forms a basis for patron-client relationships in Thai political society; this pattern linked with a tradition of presenting gifts to high officials Especially,for the thief in the policeman suit, he will take advantage through his duty. "It ain't fair for rural people who were arrested by the police, we should have some great enforcements because in Thailand... Good laws but lack enforcement" said Chatchai Gritthong, a student of Wijittra Pittaya School Warinchamrap " There should have law enforcement, but it should be regular and not done according to whim. It seems like the police just all go oof and do it a couple of times a month when the mood takes them. This isn't ggod. They should have law enforcement all the time in some areas, they don't need fifty policeman standing behind a corner once a month. It makes us think that they are pu to something." said Chanida Greekul, the fourth year student of Liberal Arts Faculty, UbonRatchathani University. A final notes, if you were arested, don't try to bribe the policeman. Just go to the police station to pay for a fine yourselfe and make sure that you have got a fines bill. That is an easy way to against a bad policeman.
Overlooked garbage collectors lead low quality of life
By Bancha Jenpiyapong AP, in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
While most of people are sleeping in bed in the early morning, a group of people starts their work to collect dirty things into a garbage truck. A swarm of flies, living in the garbage, are flying around while sanitation workers are working. Their bare hands touch the garbage, giving off a strong foul smell. In Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani municipality, there are 108 garbage collectors, all males between 32- 54 years old. Their income is from ß 4,100 to ß 4,700 a month. The garbage collectors begin work at 4 a.m. and finish at noon or when their work is completed. They collect garbage in a designated area, and move it to the sanitation control unit, Suan Sib Ed Rai. The sanitation workers do not have a good sufficient quality of life. They have problems of occupational diseases, accidents, and insufficient welfare. "I've got infected with fever and skin disease while working. Many times, broken glasses that people threw way injure me," said Jaan Poomdi, a 43! year- old garbage worker, having been working for 10 years. "This is because they did not separate their garbage into the proper the garbage bins." All of the garbage collectors have little education. They lack knowledge about hygiene; they neglect to use the protective devices to protect themselves from danger while working. "I have only a primary school education. I have no more opportunity to choose a better job provided in society," said Chuang Odton, 58. "I think I have a bad quality of life: I have to work with the disease, but the salary is so little and not enough for the cost of living." Closer questioning revealed that he did not wear gloves because he thought the devices interfered with working. The municipality provides a set of gloves, masks, vests, and boots once a year for the sanitation workers. Therefore, they have no spare equipment when it is in disrepair. Chid Chokchai, a municipality officer, said that the set of protective devices that the municipality provided was not sufficient, so some garbage workers bought them themselves. But most of them did not have enough money to provide the devices themselves. When asked about the quality of life, the sanitation workers said they were not satisfied with it. They required improvement of their quality of life: they required employees' funds, higher salary, and sufficient safety welfare in terms of providing the adequate safety protection. They also required people to separate the distinct kinds of garbage and put it in the different types of garbage bins. These vulnerable workers work h! ard for social hygiene, but people know it as a thankless job; we neglect them. Even though they are poor and uneducated people, they need care. The government should pay more attention to them by educating them about the advantage of using the protective devices, and giving them more benefits, for example, increasing higher income and providing enough welfare. These all things can lead better quality of life for them.
Ubon Flood drives a thousand of peolple to enomous troubles
By Pornpan Udomsinsirikul "Ma - Miew" AP, in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Many houses looked terrible with empty expanse. Many villagers had to live on the roadside, expose themselves to danger. Peolple lost their incomes, some kid could not go to school. People, who lived near the river, hurried to move their things for escaping flood over the Moon river to the roadside. 8 districts in Ubon Ratchathani were sinked, many roads could not use except the boat. In the Warin Chamrap district 4 houses were blew up, while 10 other houses and 2 temples were damaged last year. On September 22 it was reported from Ubon Ratchathani province that this year's inundation claimed lives and caused damage to more than 2,500 houses and 150,000 rai of farmland, with 16 villages cut off from other areas. This year also seems like the unlucky phenomenon will occur again. People living under Rattanakosin bridge have still waited for the bad news from the government. They all are forced to leave their own lands without arguments. They have lost their hopes, their jobs and their assets. " Living here, it is my ancestor's land, I have grown up here so I can't abandon it," said Pu Kunsan, a fifty-year-old who lives near the Moon river. " Moreover, I work as an employee. So, how can I find a lot of money to buy a new house?" The question revealed that he could not move to another place because he lacked of money, worried about his own land. At the right side of the Rattanakosin bridge, there are many people claiming for helping. One of the villagers, Buarin Radpai, a fifty-two-year-old who is indebted said " I feed chickens and ducks for making my family's food but when the flash flood came, they all died. Therefore, I have to borrow money from the rich, and he told me to pay 20% interest by deducting from the money that he gave me immediately." Suppose she borrows 1000 Baht, she will get only 800 Baht but she has to pay back 1000 Baht. Besides, she also complained that the government officials always came when the television programs broadcasted the flooding . Their houses were fixed by zinc, canvas and planks. When the wind blows, the roof is ready to fly away. Also when the rain comes, the roof is ready to come off. An Ubon Ratchathani mayor, Geerachai Gaigangwan reported that he cooperated with Department of Health to accommodate people around the flood areas to have good health in case of physical and mental. " We want peolple living there get our services but sometimes it has to take time for helping them because there are less people in our organization than people who get flood trouble. But we do our best." According to an official government report of September 6, this affected the daily lives of more than 7500 villagers who, in varying degrees, suffered damage to private homes, crops, business and private property. However, they all have to face this ill-fate again and again without mercy from the natural disaster.No one can predict when this phenomenon will end. Only tears and sadness still remain. .
Vagrant Mahout and Elephants Look for Better Life
Siwaporn…YungYing
While the sun is going to rest, groups of people and his elephants just start working. On the roads, in front of restaurants, they walk and walk for a kilometer to the next kilometers in any towns they never know before. They just ask for kind-hearted people who want to help them to buy some food to feed their elephants. Pictures of a mahout with his eyes of hope ride on the back of his beloved friend- elephant vagrant together is like a part of the town, nowadays. Voices from many people in town pull them from a dream in their mind and a hope in their heart "You treat elephants cruelly by doing business on them" or "You are not different far from beggars" and "Why do not you let the elephant free in the forest?" Several times, they feel discouraged with that voices and their dreams that do not know when they comes true. The questions like "Do they have any better way which is better than vagrant in town?" and "Dose they have anyone really understand him?" come up to their mind but there is no answer. "Gooy People"(ªÒÇ¡ÙÂ), a group of people lives in Susin province, all they are bound to treat elephants from generations to generations for over 700 years and they were accepted from the biologist that they are good caretakers of elephants that they treat the elephants, as the elephants are relatives or the one of their families. "My father gave this elephant named "Jumbo" to me. In my memory we never stay apart from each other. I have played with Jumbo since I were born. We eat, take a bath together," a mahout on elephant's backs smiling. So long time ago in Surin province, people and elephants lived together by finding food from forest near their home until the nightmare came to them. "There is no forest for elephants to live and find food and it face a great problem about drought. If we do not came to town, we all will die." Puan Sandee, a mahout casts his eyes at beloved elephant, "Jao Big" while telling the sad truth. The forest conversion to other land uses and the eucalyptus plantation of capitalist that elephants cannot eat and cannot find any food. Moreover, Thai act of legislation to conserve the forest after World War 2 presses them stay away from the forest that is the main source of foods. Even with a lot of foundations such as Friends of Asian Elephants Foundation and many zoos or animal parks like Phuket Zoo offer helps to them by hiring them to show and serve their guests, there is no freedom. Everything bases on money and business. "We used to join to Friends of Asian Elephants Foundation after telling us about good job in the good work conditions but it had no progress because the foundations had no fund. And we used to work in Phuket Zoo for 2 years but it was not suitable for us because we had no freedom like we had to do anything under the order of officials. All works hours (8 hours), our elephants hardly had times to rest when they were so tired. We could not ask for more food when our elephants were not full because the zoo limited the food for each elephants." Puan said. Surin, province that is well known in the name of Province of Elephants helps the mahouts and elephants very little. For the elephant festival in November of each year, the mahouts from all parts of Thailand are hired with money from Surin province about 1,500-3,500 Baths per day for 5-10 days of this festival. When the festival ends up, they are overlooked. It is not fair for them who like the reputation-makers to Surin but there is no enough helps from their duties. Moreover, Wild Life Unit of Krasetsart University report that, in 2000, there were 128 elephants were wounded and ill from any accidents such as car accidents or felling in the public pipe. Puan, a mahout said that all mahouts know wander in town are very risk and they do not want to face any bad things which can occur to their elephants. If our elephant are wounded from car accidents or others. Not Thai people fell sad but all mahouts terribly feel sad. Because of the elephants are not only their beloved friends but they are their families. They have other choices, which are better and suitable for them, or they have whoever cordially help them and can make their dreams come true, they will not vagrant in towns that are very risk from any accidents on the roads and exposed to lot of pollution. Vagrancy of mahouts and their elephants in towns is just the way to make little money from selling fruits. It may be handful money for anybody but it means to his or her better lives and survival for both mahouts and elephants. Although it is not the best way, it is the only choice that they can for nowadays.
Road racing- Noise from the king of death calling your children at night
In the late night is the time for people to sleep but they cannot sleep tightly if sound from the road in front of their house is still resonant. That noise is from some group of teenagers who are imitating their heroes. Those teenagers usually meet on main streets or highways of the city and have motorcycle racing to show their power. Sometimes, the winner will become the head of that group. Actually, road racing is a good sport if it is in the appropriate place and time. But nowadays, teenagers race in the highway at night when local people are sleeping. " In every weekend around 11 pm - 2 am, there are 5-6 groups of teenagers about 15-20 years old meeting to have motorcycle competition at the fork in front of Nevada, the highway and Changsanit Road. The local people call us to drive them away because they cannot sleep," said Pantip Chirasawaswong, a vice -superintendent of a police precinct. The teenagers usually modify their motorcycles to be faster and more powerful to show their opposition. Some of them make their motorcycles noisier. Therefore, when they have the racing, the noise of those motorcycles will disturb the inhabitant around there. " I'm so annoyed with the noise of motorcycle racing at night. I can't sleep for nights. I used to call the police to deal with them but they just stop for a while then it becomes the same as before," said Ms. Sasitorn, a local person who live in Changsanit Road. Vice-superintendent, Pantip said that there were limited policemen about 16 only and there were 8 motorcycles for them. Therefore, it is hard to catch all gangsters in Ubon. It is known that when teenagers are in the competition, they always ride very fast to be the winner. If they ride faster, they will be more careless and the more careless the more dangerous. This thing is the main cause of accidents on the highway. It is lucky for them if they can survive from the accident but if they die, the persons who will be upset the most are their parents. " While I was in the competition, I turned to watch my friends but when I turned back, I saw a big car in front of me. I did not know anything after that. I woke up again I found myself in the hospital already. I saw my father with tears and his head was shave to prepare to be a monk because he thought that I would die at that time," said Tai, a seventeen-year-old boy who got an accident from road racing. " It affects on my study also because I have to get recuperated in the hospital for 3 months." This problem does not affect on one person or two but it also affect on everyone-group of teenagers who are in road racing, local people who live in racing area and the police who try to deal with this problem. To solve the road racing cannot do only one organization but everybody in that society should help one another to solve this problem, especially, those teenagers' parents because parents are close to them the most. " The main cause of this problem is from their own family, especially, their parents because parents don't know how to take care of children correctly. Most parents think that just giving children money is enough for them. However, parents should give them more than that such as attention, warmth and love," said Pantip, a vice-superintendent. Next? Most teenagers usually imitate their hero in this case is movie stars. For example; in the Chinese movie, the star is in the road racing on the highway. I make some of teenagers want to be like their star therefore they do as what the star acts in the movie. Vice-superintendent, Pantip suggested, "Parents should show children that parents can be their heroes because if parents can be children's heroes, they will imitate their parents instead of those stars."
Ancient Brass Village Identity Disappears with Age
By KANLAYA PRACHUMRASHI UBU NEWS, in Ban Pa Ao Village, Ubon Ratchathani
As time goes by, everything has changed, we can never expect of what will be outcome. As also in our own country, many change occur due to belief, generation, and values that people in this period do have. However, an ancient heritage is still handed down over 200 years. This tradition which accounts for science and art of brass making that has made Ubon Ratchathani famous upon up to nowadays. The handicraft brass making method is local cultural achievement, which does not depend on modern technology. Apart from brass, most of raw material could be found in the local area. Many of brass makers are adults and elderly. The traditional brass making at Ban Pa Ao, Nong Khon Sub-district, about 21 kilometers from the provincial town, produced brass as a supplementary occupation. The popular products include a type of urn with a high-coned top, lime pots, pestles for grounding betel nuts, bowls, caskets, bells and wedding tray. More than 80% of Ubon teenagers worked as farmer, dressmaker, hairdresser, merchant and employee. Most teenagers do not pay attention to their local wisdom and ancient tradition. In Ubon Ratchathani, where the annual percapita revenue from the investment trend in Ubon Ratchathani Book in 1999 is the equivalent of 29,727ß, and the average income of brass making comparable to 3,000ß per month which depends on the order or the season of the tourism. Head of brass making of Ban Pa Ao Village, an old man Tong Lomwong, 76, who spent his whole life for brass making and passed on skills and expertise in brass founding by his father and grandfather. " When I was a teenager, most villagers came together to make brassware. At the present, only 10-13 people left making the ancient brassware." Main questioning reveals that most teenagers prefer to go to Bangkok to finding jobs and they do not get involved with brass making anymore. The main reason is the wage is so cheap about 100 ß per day. Fortunately, it has a brass-making curriculum at Ban pa Ao School that is the compulsory subject. "I have full confidence that a precious brassware is not disappeared by time as long as there is still someone who has will to make brassware heartily." Said Somneuk Roumruk, 40, who teach brass making at Ban Pa Ao School. One of those students who used to learned the brass making method, Wichet Pusiri, 14, said " I want to keep this valuable which is my ancestors' flesh and blood." There is a main government office in Ubon Ratchathani that is the source of local handicraft as a brass making. An authority of Art and Cultures Center in Honor of the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty's Reign, Preedee Kongkeaw revealed that Esan handicraft is a original local wisdom of Esan people include brass making in Ban Pa Ao Village. This would be just emptiness after all if no one values and feels the sense of belonging in their own priceless ancestors' invention.
Abilities in working of people with disAbilities
By Warunee Narapiromkwan "Laila "AP,in Ubon Ratchathani,Thailand
"These people are just a normal person, they can do everything like us so why don't we give a chance for them." H.E.Banhan Sinlapaarcha's words that are so true when people think about the person who has less opportunity. While many trainees actively do their own interesting jobs, they get many things from the center of love and care. All of the trainees are disabled person. Ban Thongpoon Paopanus, establish in 1986 at Ubon Ratchathani, not far from the town, is the center of vocational rehabilitation for disabled person. This center opens for training them to be a dressmaker, a beautician, a repairman and a mechanic. 100 disabled person are trained in Ban Thongpoon Paopanus for 1 year. This center is a resting place for giving a training service, developing an efficiency in feeling and society. Moreover, the disabled will learn how to has an honorable act and live happily with other people in the society. In Thailand, the vocational rehabilitation center is in only big provinces that created by Public Welfare Department. Disabled Thais stay in rehabiliitation center about 83,871, 0.7% in 1998. The person who comes to Ubon Ratchathani center will get an education and have a chance in finding a future job. "I like to live here because I can study", said Patchararattani a nineteen-year-old who study only Prathom 4 and want to be a beautician. "Other people and my family think that I have no ability because I'm the disabled." The question exposed that she had an accident by hitted against a pickup truck;therefore, her left eye is blind and her leg cannot move quickly. She came here since last year because her family has no money to support her. Fortunately, she has a part time job and also supports her family. A center's officer will find a new job for them after they graduate; most of the factories are in Ubon Ratchathani. "I think I can find a good job in the future", said Boonmee Srikeaw a 24-year-old who lost his leg since he was born. He would like to be a repairman and he will open his own shop for earning some money. A socail activist, Siripong Sriarka, said that people who come to train had high abilities to study and work because they were happy and they got along in this society very well. "Sometimes I feel shy when I see these people actively do their jobs", he said. In other countries there is an organization which call OSERS (The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services). OSERS works to ensure that the disabled in the United States and other countries are not left behind in school, in employment and in life. The general director of Ban Thongpoon Paopanus said about the disabled that nowadays general public give more opportunities for them. People give an importance to ability more than physical disability. "They can do everything like other people and sometimes they do it better", said Surachai Kittikosin. However, these people will never surrender. They will always prove their potentiality because they have a strong belief that being a good person will be rewarded.
by Jern
Once in the full moon at the temple where was far away from the city, there were the smooth voice of the monks chanting to people who came to join the "Vien Tien Ceremony ". All of them held the candle with three joss sticks and some flowers in their hand, sitting calmly and listening to the monks with their peaceful minds. After the monks finished chanting, they ligthed the candles. Then, the rest followed them. Therefore, in a few minutes that place became the sea of candlelight. The wave of people drifted from the temple hall to the" Chedi" located in the central of monastery to start "Vien Tien ". After that the monks lead those people walking around the" Chedi" three times with lighted candle, joss sticks and flowers. "I can remember the atmosphere at the temple in the old days very well, there were a lot of people come to join this rite. Parents took their child to pay a respect for monks, elderly wore white clothes to join the ceremony and teenagers stole this chance to have a date with By Siriwan Saengrat their boyfriends or girlfriends, so in that day temple had several function to do", said Mrs. Yun , 55 , who is very close to the temple since she was a little girl. " I was so happy when I saw a lot of candles lighted at the same time, its light shined competitively with the moonlight. " It said that "Vien Tien Ceremony" happened since the last 2 thousand years ago. It was arranged as a Buddhist rite for the disciples to show their gratitude for Lord Buddha because he guided them to find the right ways of living. " You can see that whenever we are doing the ceremony, people who come to join this usually take a candle, three joss sticks and some flowers with them, that's because there are meanings itself. A candle represents the light of region that would be ligthing forever. Three joss sticks represent Lord Buddha, his teaching and his orders. And some flowers represent the beautiful smell of Buddhism that would be eternal smell, " said Pra Pradit, 42, the dean of monks at Jumpon Temple. However, nowadays society has changed. People are very busy all the time. There are a lot of people who have to wake up very early in the morning to face traffic jam on the road before getting into the office. Everyone has to save their time as much as they can. Therefore, those problems become the bigger thing than the other that people should realize. " Not surprising that nowadays the number of people who come to join this sharply decrease. Most of people who still come to join "Vien Tien Ceremony" are elderly. There are a few teenagers come to participate in. Moreover, there are not too many families come together," Yun said. " one day, this ceremony will completely disappear." If we walk slower than we are doing a little bit, we might see that we are loosing something in our lives. We wasted too much time for work. Try to wait and look back to the old days a few second minutes, we might feel the armth of the moonlight again.
Poor facilities bring poor academy for poor students Ubon Ratchathani University
by Tom
Under the scorching sunshine, Ubon Ratchathani University was established on of 5,228 rai for over ten years but it seems that the administration has not provided sufficient public facilities. There have been a lot of complaints about them on UBU campus. Students think that the university has ignored the problems, that are water supply, public telephone, security, canteen and transportation, etc. Insufficient water usually happens, especially in the morning, 06.00-09.00 am and seriously in the higher floor, third and forth and sometimes the water does not run at all. There is no tank to keep water in the bathroom in case water does not run. The quality of water that the university produced is low. It sometimes seems like untreated water that can be judged from its smell and color not suitable for drinking or even regular use. In each dormitory, there is only 1 drinking water container. When the water pipe or tap or any water equipment were broken, it took long time for the officer come to fix it. "The most important problem for me is water, yes both drinking and regular use is inadequate and unhygienic." said Miss Supawadee Boonchaleo, a student from Rachawadee1 Dorm. "I live in the fourth floor where water does not run well and bathrooms are not in usable condition so I use bathrooms downstairs which are not much better," said Mr. Pakasit Karnkrasang, a student from Ratchapruek 2 Dorm. Another major problem is lack of public telephone. There are only 14 coin telephones, which are rapidly filled. In each dorm, there is only 1 telephone on the first floor when anyone from outside call to contact students, it needs someone to find the students on different floors. "Distance telephone should be provided on every floor so that people from outside can contact us. Most of the coin telephones are filled or out of order. I'm not surprised why many students have their own mobile phones but unfortunately I cannot afford it and I think this is extravagant," said Miss Amara Sarakul, a student from Rachawadee2 Dorm. Another major one is that canteen is too narrow and not clean enough and they're a few food stalls to choose from. In main canteen, there are some dogs begging food from whoever eats here. The dining tables and benches are dirty; you have to be careful before sitting and putting your stuffs. At lunchtime, here is crowded with students and staffs. I have to queue in front of food stall long time. "Dining tables are not enough for all students at lunchtime so sometimes I eat outside the campus. As for the dogs begging food for me, it's allright because I love dogs but sanitation around the area should be improved. The environment is terrible, and I can't stand crowds of people," said Miss Supawadee Boonchaleo, a student from Rachawadee1 Dorm. Moreover, the university does not have other neccesary for living on the campus, such as bank, post office drug store. "On campus, there should be post office, you know, when I want to mail I have to take a local bus for almost 10 kms from here and it take so long to get to the post office because it ran as slowly as turtles. If it's possible bank and garage would be great," said Mr. Songwut Srayai, a student from Ratchapruek 1 Dorm. Infrastructures and facilities are considered as fundamental of the organization. As the number of the students is increasing every year, the university should be more sensitive and serious about the quality of students' lives because those problems affect their living, which certainly leads to their poor academic performance and certainly influence its reputation in the future.
Underground Lottery: A Modern Form of Cannibalism in Thailand
By Narongchai Pimpakan UBU News, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
A group of five middle-aged women are sitting together beneath the house in the afternoon of one day. Their hands tightly hold a small piece of paper. Their eyes are staring at that paper while their ears are carefully listening to the radio. The peaceful moment becomes the chaos one after listening the result of the lottery prize drawing. Sound of disappointment and despair break out, finding that they do not win the prize. This is the general atmosphere that always be seen in every 1st and 16th of each month in Thailand, especially local area where people stick to gambling, underground lottery in this case. Underground Lottery becomes a popular form of gambling since it is easy to bet and reward a great deal of money with only a small investment. "There will never be any other thing that earned us a lot of money in a short time like this". Boonsong Loynuan, a 52-year-old peasant said. In Thailand, although the average monthly income of householders rose to 12,729 baht ($326)(1999), more people suffered from poverty. The number of poor people who live on less than 911 baht ($23) a month is still increasing especially 8n the countryside. This shows that the gap between the rich and the poor continued to grow and it leads to problems. Those poor and undereducated lay their hope on underground lottery. "If we win the three number prize, we will get 400 per cent per capita or even if we win the two number prize, we will get 70 per cent per capita. Huge profit isn't it? Alorn Boon-onn, a 31-year-old Somtam vender explained. Every year, there is at least 92,000 million baht flows in underground lottery business and it involves more than 23 million people, definitely most of whom are poor and undereducated. This whole amount of 92,000 million baht, 90,000 million will be the benefit of the agents and only 2,000 million will be paid back as the prize to the gamblers. "The sales is approximately 30,000 baht in average and I have to pay back as the prize 4,000-5,000 baht". Bang-Orn Saentaweesuk, a 54-year-old subagent in Natan village, Ubon Ratchathani, revealed. "There is only a few people win the prize but they still buy every times the lottery runs. "I used to win the prize, 5 baht at most, but it was not worthwhile because that time I spent 500 baht from rice selling to bet. My husband got frustrated on me". Boonsong said. As a huge benefits that the agents get from the business, they use some technique to maintain that benefit. Computers and new technologies are used to predict the purchasing power and limit the money betting on hot numbers. Bang-orn also revealed that if there are many winners, the agent would not pay the prize and the gamblers cannot do anything. "They were angry at first but they still buy lottery from me". As underground lottery is gambling, it leads people to other problems. Problem of debts, stuck on gambling, insufficient money to use in daily life and family problem are considered to be the further problems that can damage their lives. "We know that it is illegal and leads to many problems but it is the only chance that we as poor and low educated people have". Alorn said. Poor people perceive underground lottery as the hope in their miserable lives. Agents, who are considered as rich people, perceive it as a tool used to take advantage on those poor. It is nothing but a new form of cannibalism that occurs in our society nowadays.
Eliminate Beggar Problem Through Thai Government
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"You want money?" "Yes, I want" "You want clothes?" "Yes, I want" "You want houses?" "Yes, I want" "You want attention from government?" "Yes, I want " These are things that the beggar hood is looking for. How do we handle that? The " absolute poor " have increased over the past decade from about 700 million to over 1 billion, or one in six of people who are living on this planet are unable to feed, cloth and house themselves in a manner that can sustain health and human dignity. In Thailand, the beggars are making their living by collecting, selling waste paper and begging on the street. The Department of Public Welfare's survey states that there are a lot of street-urchins and beggars in Bangkok. Most of them are children and survived by begging. The main reasons that lead them to become beggars are because of the income, education, work and family. The income of the family is less than 100-200 baht per day, therefore it effects the chance of studying because they have no money. For this reason they also have no works. Moreover, the background of the family can also make them become beggars. "I have to beg because there is no money to provide for the family. My family has nine members and most of them are so young. I have only a mother who is very old and difficulties in moving. I am uneducated because of the money, therefore I have no other chances." Said Sunee Sripai, a nine-year-old who earn about 70-80 baht per day. "I have no where to live. I need attention from government. I need to have jobs and alternative to live as others. I do not want to be looked down by other people. The government can help me to find a job or give me shelter. " said, Peuy Takka, forty-year-old woman. Closer questioning revealed that she wanted the government to pay more attention on the beggars and helps them to have a better life. Mr. Wanrop Ploytubtim, the Director of the Department of Social and Public Welfare said "We have a measure to help the beggars and solve this crisis." " The Department of Social and Public cooperate with the government sector and the private sector by organizing an association for finding method to solve this problem. Moreover, they have a lot of activities for developing the quality of life of the children. Besides, they have a service club to instruct the street child and family problem. In addition, the government realizes about the importance of this problem, therefore they make a budget to set up houses in big cities, which are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Songkhla and Udon Thani, where they would be support with the mean of living. The reason that the government tries to solve this problem is because they do not want to see the beggars in the public place. If the government can get rid of this problem perfectly, the social problems; drug problem and crime problem will disappear also. Begging on the street is a big social problem in Thailand. Although Thai government tries to solve this problem, our country still has beggars on the street.
The " absolute poor " have increased over the past decade from about 700 million to over 1 billion, or one in six who are living on this planet are unable to feed, cloth and house themselves in a manner that can sustain health and human dignityMoreover, they have a lot of activities for developing the quality of life of the children. Besides, the they have a service club to instruct the street child and family problem. In addition, the government realize about the important of this problem, therefore they make a budget to set up houses in big cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Songkhla and Udon Thani. And they also support them with a mean of living. -The reason that the government tries to solve this problem is because they do not want to see the beggars in the public place. If the government can get rid of this problem perfectly, the social problems; drug problem and crime problem will disappear also. -In Thailand, the beggars are always living by collecting, selling waste paper and begging on the street. -The main reasons that lead them be beggars are because of the income, education, work and family. -Closer questioning revealed that she wants the government pay more attention on the beggars and help them to have a better life. -The income of the family are less than 100-200 baht per day, therefore it forces to the chance of studying because they have no money. For this reason they also have no works. Moreover, the background of the family can bring them to do like this. -"I have to beg because I have no money to provide for the family. My family has nine members and most of them are so young. I have only mother who has aged and difficult to move. I am uneducated because of the money, therefore I have nothing to do." -"I have no where to live. I need attention from government. I need to have jobs and alternative to live as others. I do not want to be looked down by other people. The government can help me to find a job or give me shelter. " .