By Bunn Nagara
Thailand’s worst problems have long gone south. But who will do the right thing?
WHAT do former president Jimmy Carter, actor Jet Li, footballer Hidetoshi Nakata, former Miss Thailand Cindy Bishop, singer Trisha Yearwood and singer-actor Rattapoom Tongkongsap have in common?
During the week at least, they joined 3,000 volunteers from 25 countries to build 82 homes for the poor in the San Sai district of Chiang Mai province, Thailand. The work was to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who will celebrate his 82nd birthday next month.
Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is known for its cool climate. Fruit enthusiasts also know it for the best longan in the country.
Some may also know Chiang Mai as the home province of billionaire former premier and convicted fugitive in self-exile Thaksin Shinawatra. However, few if any know it for abject poverty.
Like in many other developing countries, Thailand’s rural populations are less endowed than their urban counterparts. And agricultural Chiang Mai is among the country’s rural provinces that was recently hit by violent storms.
Indeed, Thaksin’s efforts at alleviating poverty in the northern provinces contributed to a vital power base for his political career. It turned the northern region into his stronghold until today.
However, there was still a gap between what Thaksin had done and all else that still needed doing. There was also the question of whether his perceived generosity was genuine altruism, or largely for the self-serving purpose of building a loyal following.