[Thailand] Thaksin briefs envoys on poverty eradication

From The Bangkok Post

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wrapped up his five-day anti-poverty mission with a briefing to diplomatic corps members about his strategy to eradicate poverty.

In a televised broadcast on the nation's biggest pay television dubbed, "Backstage Show: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra," the premier said that he would like the foreign envoys to see for themselves why Roi Et's At Samat district was chosen to showcase poverty eradication strategies in other districts throughout the country.

The main strategy to tackle the problem, the premier explained, was the self-sufficiency philosophy to encourage local villagers to produce adequately for local consumption and to export the rest to increase their income.

The problem of land ownership, which he described as basic for the well being of an agricultural society, must be tackled, he said. Land rights documents were issued to local farmers based on a survey employing new mapping techniques with a 1:4,000 ratio. Distributing lands to poor farmers to help them earn their living is investing in "good assets" for the coming generations, according to Mr.Thaksin.

The prime minister reiterated that the At Samat model would be applied to other sub districts throughout the country, and the idea could be adapted for better use in other countries as well.

Some diplomats expressed their interest in the prime minister's initiatives--which have been demonstrated in his five-day workshop in this northeastern province.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Thursday that the envoys were reported to be interested in taking a closer look at the campaign after watching the televised Reality Show.

Included among the dozens of foreign diplomats who observed the government's anti-poverty campaign were envoys of Germany, France and Laos.