Thailand – Gov’t efforts to modernize Bangkok port threaten local poor communities

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Language: Thai

Duration: 00:04:51

Source: A24

Restrictions: A24 clients

Dateline: 23-02-2022

Storyline:

As the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) edges closer and closer to officially float a tender its Klong Toey smart community project in 2022. PAT seeks the modernization of the Bangkok port and adjacent areas, parts of which have been encroached upon by poor people. This raises concerns about the fate of Thais who make a living from the port and the areas surrounding it, as they would have to clear the areas to allow for the construction works. The local communities who would be affected directly by the modernization project have expressed their exasperation and demanded the authorities to reconsider and take their situation into consideration going forward.

Shots list:

– (Soundbite) Grandmother Nan, a street food seller in Klongtoey

“If they were to kick us out, it would become trouble, because my grandmother has been here for a long time. I want to stay in the same place. I don’t want to go anywhere because it affects my grandmother’s work. If my grandmother would have to move to another place to sell, It would not be as good as the original. “

– (Soundbite) Pa MAE, a resident in Klongtoey

“I learned from the news that I will be forced out, but I do not know when. Part of me wants to leave and the other does not. I do not know what to do because I would have to start from scratch. If you are putting us out of business, would you be able to compensate us?

– (Soundbite) Kasidec Sangjan, a popular rapper who lives in Klongtoey

“It was secretly awe-inspiring. We’ve been here for a long time. Well, we’ve been here since childhood. It has many things. What stupid memories If you ask me if the new generation really I look at the matter of chasing at it. It’s quite sensitive to the new generation in Khlong Toei.

like me new I would like to see Khlong Toei develop in a good way. A place that doesn’t know about chasing that we don’t even know. When we get to the chase, where are we going to be? But I was already thinking that someday we might have to move outside, have a family, have children, live in a society like this. we grew up like this We know what we see. Really, if possible I would like to choose to stay here Because one of them, first of all, is about the place of work. Here, it’s like the center of the city. Is that right, brother? like the city center We can travel here and there easily and conveniently, but we must understand that in exchange for the social environment that it is. But in the end, one.

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