Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2004
Source: Nation, The (Thailand)
Copyright: 2004 Nation Multimedia Group
Contact:  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1963
Author: Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Thailand

DRUG WAR ORPHANS ALONE ON CHILDREN'S DAY

On the surface, Children's Day at Bangkok's Khlong Toei slum proceeded
as usual - a big, fun event with various booths offering games, prizes
and gifts.

But Senator Prateep Ungsomgtham Hata, founder of the Duang Prateep
Foundation, said that this year there was a cloud over the Children's
Day party his foundation hosted at its headquarters.

"The war on drugs was good but the effects it had on children whose
parents were killed or jailed was really bad. Nobody is really caring
for them. Some relatives or neighbours may try to help but they don't
deserve to be in such a predicament," Prateep said.

His foundation is conducting a survey on the children affected by the
war and their needs. The survey will be concluded in February and the
results presented to the Senate.

The government's war on drugs led to at least 12 deaths and 70 arrests
in Khlong Toei, which is home to about 90,000 people.

Eight-year-old Mo and four of her siblings were deprived of their
mother when she was jailed for four years for drug
trafficking.

While the rest of the estimated 2,000 children at the party appeared
to be in jovial mood, Mo seemed unusually quiet and untidy.

"I want them to release my mum early," she said. "I miss
her."

Prateep said Mo had also been used to push drugs, a fate shared by
many other slum children.

"The amount of methamphetamine and heroin traded may have been reduced
by 50 to 90 per cent, but Khlong Toei slum children are now switching
to addictive inhalants," Prateep said.

Arson threats had become a big problem in the 300-rai slum as well,
Prateep said. With the economy stronger, there is a push to get rid of
the slum so the land can be used to generate higher profits, he added.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake